Electrified rear axle regenerative hand brake

A method for operating an electrified rear axle regenerative handbrake system for an electrified vehicle, the electrified vehicle having an electric drive module having an electric motor that generates drive torque, an electric drive gearbox assembly, and a power inverter module, wherein the electric motor includes a fixed stator, a rotor that is configured to rotate relative to the stator, and a rotor output shaft and a rear axle that receives input from the rotor output shaft of the electric motor and transmits torque to two rear drive wheels of the electrified vehicle, wherein the electric drive gearbox assembly is configured to transfer generated drive torque from the electric motor to the two drive wheels through a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft, the method comprising:

• providing a handbrake that moves between an unactuated position and an actuated position, the handbrake generating a handbrake signal based on a sensed position of the handbrake;
• receiving, at a controller, the handbrake signal;
• receiving, at the controller, a speed and direction of the rear axle;
• determining, at the controller, a rear axle braking torque command based on the handbrake signal, and the speed and direction of the rear axle;
• and
• commanding the electric motor to implement a rear axle braking torque to the two drive wheels based on the determined rear axle braking torque command.