A method for controlling an electric drive system for an electric vehicle, the electric drive system being subdivided in an electric machine subsystem having a first electric machine and a second electric machine and in a remaining subsystem having at least an electric storage device. The method includes: determining an allowable remaining system power range for the remaining system; determining an allowable first machine power range for the first electric machine and an allowable second machine power range for the second electric machine; and determining an allowable first machine torque range. The method also includes: determining an allowable second machine torque range; determining a first machine torque setpoint for the first electric machine and determining a second machine torque setpoint for the second electric machine; and operating first electric machine to realize first machine torque setpoint and operating second electric machine to realize second machine torque setpoint.