A compressor drive system for driving a compressor of an internal combustion engine contains a variable speed drive unit and a planetary gear set, the planetary gear set being connected to the internal combustion engine and the compressor in such a way that a first output shaft of the planetary gear set is connected to the compressor, a first drive shaft of the planetary gear set is connected to the internal combustion engine, and a second drive shaft of the planetary gear set is connected to the internal combustion engine through the variable speed drive unit.