This disclosure provides a method of controlling an electric drive powertrain system. The method includes providing an electric motor capable of running between a motor minimum speed and a motor maximum speed such that the electric motor can produce different amounts of torque between a first region defined between the motor minimum speed and a motor base speed and a second region defined between the motor base speed and the motor maximum speed. The method includes receiving a signal from operator inputs and determining a desired transmission output torque based on the signal received from the operator inputs. The method also includes determining a desired motor torque based on the desired transmission output torque, operating the electric motor at a current corresponding to the desired motor torque and producing a greater amount of torque at the motor base speed than at the motor minimum speed.