A method of controlling operation of an electric machine includes: determining a voltage-based torque limit based on a voltage constraint of a direct current (DC) bus supplying power to an inverter for powering the electric machine; determining a motor current-based torque limit based on a motor current limit; determining a final torque limit based on the voltage-based torque limit and the motor current-based torque limit; determining a limited command torque based on a torque command and the final torque limit; determining an initial current command corresponding to the inverter satisfying a regenerative current limit of the DC bus; and calculating a final current command based on, at least, the limited command torque and the initial current command. The method includes the final current command exceeding the initial current command to cause the electric machine to produce a torque corresponding to the limited torque command.