PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric wheelchair which can travel comfortably and smoothly and is expected to have rehabilitation effect, and a driving method of the wheelchair.SOLUTION: An electric wheelchair 1 includes an operation unit 6 which can be adjusted in an operation amount, a pedal 5 which is operated by foot, a sensor 53 which detects a driving operation amount of the pedal 5, a driving wheel 3 connected to a motor 8, and a control means 7 which changes speed of the motor 8 with respect to the driving operation amount of the pedal 5 by the operation amount of the operation unit 6. The control means 7 changes load of driving operation of the pedal 5 by the operation amount of the operation unit 6.COPYRIGHT: (C)2016,JPO&INPIT【課題】快適かつ円滑な走行が可能で、リハビリテーション効果が期待できる電動車椅子及び電動車椅子の駆動方法を提供する。【解決手段】電動車椅子1は、操作量が調整可能な操作部6と、足で操作されるペダル5と、このペダル5の駆動操作量を検出するセンサ53と、モータ8に連結された駆動輪3と、前記操作部6の操作量によって、前記ペダル5の駆動操作量に対するモータ8の速度を変更する制御手段7とを備えている。制御手段7は、操作部6の操作量によって、ペダル5の駆動操作の負荷量を変更する。【選択図】図2