NOVELTY - The method involves discharging the capacitor (20), included in an electric drive system (10), by controlling flux and torque produced by an electric motor (28) to produce positive power flow from the capacitor to the electric motor. The electric drive system includes an electric motor controller (24) coupled between the capacitor and electric motor to controllably transfer energy from the capacitor to the electric motor by controlling current drawn from the capacitor and voltage provided to the electric motor.    USE - Used to discharge a capacitor between the power source and electric motor controller in an automotive electric drive system of an electric vehicle. Applicable for use with any number of electric systems including industrial and automotive applications for driving a load such as series hybrid electric vehicle (SHEV), parallel hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), power split hybrid electric vehicle (PSHEV), fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle, and any other electrically driven vehicles which have a need to discharge stored capacitor energy through an electric motor.    ADVANTAGE - Provides a cost-effective approach to discharge stored capacitor energy using standard system components which can be used across different product lines without requiring substantial hardware modifications. Ensures that various motor torque-control and flux-control strategies and methodologies can be used with the capacitor discharging method. Discharges the capacitor through the electric motor without the need for additional system components, leading to system cost savings. Uses a control logic that can be provided for the electric drive system and which is applicable to different variations of the electric drive system, thus reducing the costs to reconfigure hardware systems.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The capacitor is discharged in response to the determined disconnection of the contactors (18) by controllably transferring energy from the capacitor to the electric motor without driving the wheels. The contactors couple a direct current (DC) electric power source (14) to the capacitor for providing power to the electric motor. The electric motor is coupled to the two wheels for driving a vehicle. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for the automotive electric distribution system for use in electric vehicle.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows the schematic block diagram of the electric drive system to discharge stored capacitive energy.    Electric drive system (10)    DC electric power source (14)    Contactors (18)    Capacitor (20)    Electric motor controller (24)    Electric motor (28)