[Objective] To address computational complexity issues in traditional three-vector model predictive current control (TV-MPCC) for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), a low-complexity TV-MPCC (LCTV-MPCC) method based on improved voltage vector selection and calculation is proposed. [Methods] Firstly, a discrete current prediction model for PMSM was established based on the forward Euler method, and three candidate vectors were selected using an adjacent effective voltage vector screening method to narrow down the voltage vector selection range. Then, the value function was calculated to determine the optimal voltage vector combinations, and their corresponding virtual action time was calculated. The desired voltage vector was synthesized using two virtual voltage vectors and their action time. Based on the duration of virtual voltage vector action time, the actual voltage vectors and their action time required for synthesizing the desired voltage vector were further determined. Finally, the inverter switching sequence output was generated according to the principle of minimum switching frequency. [Results] To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, a comparative analysis was conducted through simulations and experiments. The results showed that the proposed LCTV-MPCC method achieved comparable steady-state performance to the TV-MPCC method, with nearly identical speed and current fluctuations under both control methods. In terms of calculation efficiency, the proposed LCTV-MPCC method reduced the average calculation time per cycle from 54.3 μs to 37.6 μs, which was a reduction of 30.76% compared to TV-MPCC. Additionally, the number of voltage vector iterations decreased from 6 to 3, representing a 50% reduction. The proposed method effectively reduced the computational burden compared to traditional control methods. [Conclusion] The LCTV-MPCC method proposed in this study effectively addresses the computational complexity issue of the TV-MPCC method by modifying the candidate voltage vector set and the calculation method for actual voltage vector action time. This method reduces average cycle runtime of the system, maintains fixed switching frequency, and ensures unchanged steady-state control performance of motors.