Systems and methods are provided for a soft switching topology for a direct current (DC)-DC converter. The systems and methods determine an operational status of an electric motor, and activate at least one of an upper or lower first or second semiconductor switches based on an operation of the electric motor. The first and second switching circuits are conductively coupled to a power inverter circuit. The systems and methods include deliver an adjusted voltage to one of the power inverter circuit or a power circuit based on the operational status of the electric motor.