Electric motors and drive circuits therefor are described herein. The drive circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The drive circuit includes an inverter configured to regulate current to a first winding and a second winding of the electric motor in the first mode of operation and to only the first winding in the second mode of operation. The drive circuit also includes a first switch coupled to the second winding and configured to supply line frequency current to the second winding at a first node in the second mode of operation, and a second switch coupled to the second winding and configured to enable selection of regulating current to the second winding using the inverter in the first mode of operation or supplying the line frequency current directly to the second winding in the second mode of operation.