Compared to the conventional vector control, a five-leg inverter-dual asynchronous motor speed control system using model predictive control can achieve better dynamic performance and multiple objects optimization. However, it has some disadvantages, such as poor steady state performance, large amount of calculation, and limitation for switching requirements of the common leg, and so on. This paper proposes a model predictive control method based on zero vector interleave, where the space vector and its synthesis are introduced. In this control method, two voltage vectors including one non-zero vector and one zero vector are employed for each inverter in a sampling period. According to the dead-beat principle, the duty cycles of non-zero vectors for both inverters are adjusted to achieve zero vectors interleaved, which can avoid switching action demand conflict of the public bridge legs. Only 12 valid vector combinations are considered in every sampling period, reducing the calculation of predictive control significantly. Simulation and experimental results show that both induction motors operate independently and stably with good steady state/dynamic performance. Compared to the conventional model predictive control method, the propose method has better steady state performance and simplified calculation. © 2017, The editorial office of Transaction of China Electrotechnical Society. All right reserved.