To provide coastdown braking torque to an electrically propelled vehicle, without using the ability of absorb regenerative braking energy.

This control simulates engine braking force, such as when no braking or accelerator force is applied. This control can be activated, in response to driver's release of both an accelerator pedal 32 and brake pedal 34 and deactivated at a predetermined motor speed, or when the accelerating or braking force is applied. Deactivation in one embodiment can be gradually diminished to zero braking torque, based on predetermined threshold of driver expectation. The braking force for this control is provided by an ABS system and can be applied to all the wheels or to only the rear wheels.