The invention relates to a brake control device (10) for a vehicle, comprising an actuation device (12) by means of which at least one first control signal (14) can be emitted to at least one electric drive motor (16) of the vehicle, at least taking into consideration at least one brake request signal (18) provided by a vehicle-specific sensor and/or control device, said signal allowing the at least one electric drive motor (16) to be controlled in a motor operational mode in which one generator braking moment (M), which does not equal zero, can be applied to at least one wheel of the vehicle by the at least one electric drive motor (16), said at least one electric drive motor (16) being controllable, by means of the at least one first control signal (14), in at least one overload operational mode as the motor operational mode in which the generator braking moment (M) which does not equal zero can be applied to said at least one wheel. The invention likewise relates to a method for operating at least one electric drive motor (16) for a vehicle.