A throttle control for an internal combustion engine comprising an electric motor and a motor drive connecting the motor to a throttle plate of a throttle body, whereby throttle plate control is established solely by the electric motor without a mechanical motion-transmitting mechanism between the vehicle accelerator pedal and the throttle plate. The motor is under the control of an electronic microprocessor that responds to a signal indicating that the engine ignition system has been deactivated. A command is sent by the microprocessor at the time of engine shutdown to the motor to actuate the throttle plate to an intermediate position, thereby avoiding throttle plate freezing and avoiding throttle plate sticking at closed throttle due to deposits, such as hydrocarbon deposits, on the wall of the throttle body.