A method and apparatus for controlling a permanent magnet synchronous motor (8) coupled to a turbo engine such that transient current and steady state current are minimized. The method comprises the steps of, for a given DC bus voltage, determining an acceleration profile as a function of a voltage-offset value, a low-speed rated speed value, a high-speed rated speed value, a first desired speed for warming up the turbo engine, and a second desired speed where the turbo engine has sufficient torque to accelerate to its rated speed without the aid of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (8).