A system for operating an air conditioning system of a vehicle, the system comprising: an electric motor having regenerative capabilities connected to a battery; a disconnect mechanism disposed between the electric motor and at least one of the wheels, the disconnect mechanism having an open state and a closed state; an AC compressor connected to the electric motor via a clutch; wherein the system includes a recuperation state, in which the disconnect mechanism is closed and the clutch is closed, and recuperation energy from the wheels and energy from the motor drive the compressor; wherein the system includes a stand-still state, in which the disconnect mechanism is open and the clutch is closed, and the motor drives the compressor; wherein the system includes a drive operation state, in which the disconnect mechanism is closed and the clutch is open, and the compressor is de-coupled from the motor; and wherein the system is adapted to provide cooling to the vehicle cabin during the drive operation state when the compressor is not being driven by the motor; a first torque mechanism coupled to the motor via a first shaft, wherein rotation of the motor causes rotation of the first torque mechanism; a second torque mechanism coupled to a shaft for driving the wheels, wherein rotation of the second torque mechanism causes rotation of the shaft, wherein the second torque mechanism is selectively coupled to the first torque mechanism via the disconnect mechanism; and wherein the first torque mechanism includes a small diameter element coupled to a large diameter element, and the second torque mechanism includes a small diameter element coupled to a large diameter element, characterized in that the large diameter element of the first torque mechanism is selectively coupled to the small diameter element of the second torque mechanism via the disconnect mechanism. an electric motor having regenerative capabilities connected to a battery; a disconnect mechanism disposed between the electric motor and at least one of the wheels, the disconnect mechanism having an open state and a closed state; an AC compressor connected to the electric motor via a clutch; wherein the system includes a recuperation state, in which the disconnect mechanism is closed and the clutch is closed, and recuperation energy from the wheels and energy from the motor drive the compressor; wherein the system includes a stand-still state, in which the disconnect mechanism is open and the clutch is closed, and the motor drives the compressor; wherein the system includes a drive operation state, in which the disconnect mechanism is closed and the clutch is open, and the compressor is de-coupled from the motor; and wherein the system is adapted to provide cooling to the vehicle cabin during the drive operation state when the compressor is not being driven by the motor; a first torque mechanism coupled to the motor via a first shaft, wherein rotation of the motor causes rotation of the first torque mechanism; a second torque mechanism coupled to a shaft for driving the wheels, wherein rotation of the second torque mechanism causes rotation of the shaft, wherein the second torque mechanism is selectively coupled to the first torque mechanism via the disconnect mechanism; and wherein the first torque mechanism includes a small diameter element coupled to a large diameter element, and the second torque mechanism includes a small diameter element coupled to a large diameter element, characterized in that the large diameter element of the first torque mechanism is selectively coupled to the small diameter element of the second torque mechanism via the disconnect mechanism.