Abstract. To improve the control performance and dynamic response of the permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM), a new sensorless control strategy of the PMLSM with the ultra-local model velocity control system is designed in this paper. Firstly, a model-free speed controller (MFSC) is constructed based on the principle of the ultra-local model. Meanwhile, based on the traditional sliding-mode observer (SMO), the back-electromotive force (BEMF) in the SMO is optimized by the model reference adaptive system (MRAS) to improve the observed speed information of the PMLSM. This control strategy improves the dynamic response ability and stability of the PMLSM system. Compared with the traditional motor control strategy, this design gets rid of the dependence on mechanical sensors, improves the dynamic response ability of the PMLSM, and reduces the velocity tracking error. The superiority of the control system is verified by simulation and experiment. Compared with the traditional dual proportional–integral (PI) control system and SMO, the new control strategy can improve the dynamic response performance of the PMLSM, enhance the stability, and track the speed information of the PMLSM with low error to reduce the chatter.