Control systems and methods for electric drive utility vehicles

The invention provides for a utility vehicle comprising: a plurality of vehicle systems comprising a steering system, an accelerator system, a traction system, and an auxiliary system; a plurality of operator interfaces for operating the vehicle, each of the plurality of operator interfaces being associated with one of the plurality of vehicle systems; a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors being associated with at least one of the plurality of vehicle systems; and an electric motor control system in communication with the plurality of vehicle systems, the plurality of operator interfaces, and the plurality of sensors. The traction system comprises: a first drivable wheel; a second drivable wheel; a first electric drive motor in communication with the first drivable wheel; and a second electric drive motor in communication with the second drivable wheel. The auxiliary system comprises: an auxiliary mechanism; and an electric auxiliary motor in communication with the auxiliary mechanism. The electric motor control system comprises: a first traction controller directly in communication with the steering system, the accelerator system, at least one of the plurality of operator interfaces, at least one of the plurality of sensors, the auxiliary system, and the first electric drive motor of the traction system; a second traction controller directly in communication with the steering system, the accelerator system, at least one of the plurality of operator interfaces, at least one of the plurality of sensors, the first traction controller, and the second electric drive motor of the traction system; and an auxiliary controller directly in communication with the first traction controller, and the electric auxiliary motor. The first traction controller receives data signals from at least one of the plurality of operator interfaces and at least one of the plurality of sensors, processes the data signals, and outputs control signals to the second traction controller and the auxiliary controller.