A discontinuous pulse width modulation technique is used in a controller to control an inverter that converts DC battery power to AC power to operate an electric motor, e.g., in a hybrid electric vehicle. The discontinuous pulse width modulation technique uses only one of the two zero state voltage vectors in its calculations whereas traditional pulse width modulation uses both zero state voltage vectors. The use of a single zero state voltage vector can result in one of a group of switches in the inverter remaining in a constant state during a complete duty cycle while still providing the commanded voltage vector to the electrical motor. As a result losses due to switching can be reduced.