Examples include a method for determining a static load torque at standstill applied to a salient pole synchronous motor. The method comprises fixing a first non-zero torque-producing current component and controlling motor speed using a speed loop regulation of a first regulated component to reach a first zero motor speed steady state corresponding to the fixed first non-zero current component, the motor being subjected to the specific static load torque. The method further comprises controlling motor speed using a speed loop regulation of a second regulated component to reach a second zero motor speed steady state corresponding to a fixed second non-zero torque-producing current component, the motor being subjected to the specific static load torque, the first non-zero current component and the second non-zero current component corresponding to different values. The load torque is estimated as a function of components of the first and second zero motor speed steady states.