This paper presents a sensorless algorithm designated for the emergency control of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drive in electric or hybrid vehicle. Special requirements for emergency-activated sensorless algorithms are defined, and shortcomings of state-of-the-art methods in terms of the considered application are discussed. The proposed emergency-activated algorithm is based on analysing the derivatives of motor phase currents measured over the duration of particular inverter states. The method is computationally simple and does not require additional hardware since the derivatives are measured indirectly. A lag between activating the algorithm upon an emergency flying start and re-establishing the torque controllability is defined. The proposed algorithm was implemented in the controller of a laboratory IPMSM vehicle drive and tested under varying operational conditions, including the emergency activation. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd