In various example embodiments, a low energy electric motor brake is described comprising one or more electronic switches that connect the input wires to an electric motor together, thus shorting out the motor and braking the motor. The electronic switches are separate from the control system, and provide the braking function. This alleviates the motor controllers and other system control units from providing the braking function to the motor. The electronic switches require minimal to no power in order to maintain the brake to the motor. The control unit may be placed in a low power or sleep mode while the electronic switches maintain the brake.