The analysed permanent magnet disc motor (PMDM) is used for direct wheel drive in an electric vehicle. Therefore there are several objectives that could be tackled in the design procedure, such as an increased efficiency, reduced iron weight, reduced copper weight or reduced weight of the permanent magnets (reduced rotor weight). In this paper the optimal design of PMDM using a multi-objective genetic algorithm optimisation procedure is performed. A comparative analysis of the optimal motor solution and its parameters in relation to the prototype is presented.