An apparatus for controlling a mechanical parking lock device of an electric vehicle including an electric motor, the mechanical parking lock device including a parking lock gear rotated with a wheel of the vehicle, a parking lock pawl having a lock position for engagement of the lock pawl with the lock gear to lock the wheel, and an unlock position for releasing the lock pawl from the lock gear, and an engaging member mechanically linked with a shift lever, for engagement of the engaging member with the lock pawl to bring the pawl into the lock position upon operation of the shift lever to a parking position, and for permitting the lock pawl to be moved to the unlock position upon operation of the shift lever from the parking position to another position, the apparatus including a parking release intention determining device for determining an intention of a vehicle operator of operating the shift lever from the parking position to another position, and a parking release motor control device, which is operable upon determination of the operator's intention by the parking release intention determining device, for activating the electric motor so as to reduce a load of engagement between the lock gear and the lock pawl.