The present invention provides a drive unit for high-speed lifting gates in which a drive motor is provided for moving the gate leaf and can be down-regulated up to zero rotational speed. The drive motor is actuated via a control unit. Following the occurrence of an emergency stop condition, the drive motor is actuated such that its rotational speed is reduced to zero in a controlled manner and the gate leaf is thereby braked in a motor-driven manner. When the gate leaf is at a standstill, the gate leaf is held by the energized drive motor at zero rotational speed at the holding position. It is with an emergency power supply ensured that, also in the event of a power failure, motor-driven deceleration of the gate leaf and an emergency opening can occur.