A permanent magnet (PM) synchronous electric motor (34) includes a plurality of phases, and a plurality of motor drives (55,58) electrically connected to the PM synchronous electric motor. Each of the motor drives is operatively connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of phases. The plurality of motor drives is configured and disposed to deliver a torque current divided equally between each of the plurality of phases and independently deliver flux current to the corresponding one of the plurality of phases. A controller (44) is operatively connected to each of the plurality of motor drives to selectively control the PM synchronous electric motor, and a rescue module (120) operatively connected to the controller, the rescue module being configured and disposed to determine a failure of one of the plurality of motor drives and control the PM synchronous electric motor in a reduced operation profile employing remaining ones of the plurality of motor drives.