To prevent useless oil pump operation during the remaining oil is existing while performing an oil pump noise countermeasure at silent time, by stopping oil pump even if an ignition switch is turned ON, and continuing the oil pump stop condition, until the remaining oil in the oil path disappears after the start.

Driving of an oil pump is controlled such that the amount of oil suction-supply has solid-line characteristics in a low vehicle speed range (VSP<VSP1) less than a set vehicle speed VSP1 in which stirring resistance by oil in an in-wheel motor case does not exceed a permitted level. Namely, the oil pump is stopped not only when the vehicle is stopped when no lubrication is required, but also even after the vehicle is started with the oil pump stopped, until the vehicle reaches a predetermined vehicle speed VSP0 at which remaining oil in an oil channel is scattered and used up for lubrication. Therefore, while stopping the vehicle in the silent state or in the vehicle speed area under the prescribed vehicle speed VSP0 where the traveling is made in silence, the oil pump should not be operated. Thus, the operating noise of the oil pump can be prevented from becoming too annoying, and the wasteful operation of the oil pump when there is still the remaining oil with the resultant increase in electricity cost can be prevented.