Methods, systems and computer readable storage devices for a four quadrant voltage limiter that limits a commanded phase voltage to within a volt second capability of an inverter by maintaining a rotor flux and folding back a torque under both motoring and regeneration torque commands. In one embodiment: (a) in a motoring operation, an upper limit for a q-axis voltage is enforced; and (b) in a regeneration operation a lower limit for the q-axis voltage is enforced.