A method and a system are provided for controlling waste heat generated by a motor vehicle having an electric drive including a rechargeable battery and an electric machine for driving the motor vehicle. The method includes determining the thermal load on at least two components of the electric drive; if a first electric component of the electric drive has a lower thermal load than a second electric component, actuating the electric drive such that the generation of waste heat in the first electric component increases and the generation of waste heat in the second electric component does not increase; and if the second electric component has a lower thermal load than the first electric component, actuating the electric drive such that the generation of waste heat in the second electric component increases and the generation of waste heat in the first electric component does not increase.