Abstract: An eddy current brake or retarder device for bringing a vehicle to rest is disclosed. The device includes a stator mounted to a frame of the vehicle, a plurality of poles disposed along a perimeter of the stator, a plurality of coils each wound about each of the plurality of poles, wherein an adjacent pair of poles form an electromagnet when the coil is energized, and a rotor in communication with a transmission axle of the vehicle and located concentric with the stator. A relative rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator produces eddy currents between the poles of the stator and an outer surface of the rotor, causing the rotor to come to a rest.