The design method of initial topology of interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM) for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) propulsion is described in this paper. Design constraints are selected on the basis of limitations imposed by machine's manufacturer and application (e.g. maximum copper slot fill factor, air gap length, permanent magnet material, limited space available in drive trains, etc.). Design variables are rotor radius, stator slot width and number of turns per phase winding. Parametric analysis is performed for various machine topologies. The cost function, which connects the distribution of operating points of HEV and the efficiency maps of various topologies of an electrical machine, is defined. Obtained parametric results are compared to find the result leading to the extreme value of the cost function. The initial design of IPMSM that corresponds to this result is considered as the best initial design.