A method for operating a drive system (10) of an electric vehicle, comprising a first energy source (21), a second energy source (22) formed as an electrical energy store, and at least one electric machine (30) is disclosed. In a first operating mode, electrical energy is transferred from the first energy source (21) to at least one electric machine (30), and electrical energy is transferred from the second energy source (22) to at least one electric machine (30). In a second operating mode, electrical energy is transferred from the first energy source (21) to at least one electric machine (30), and electrical energy is transferred from at least one electric machine (30) to the second energy source (22).