May 16, 2023

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) finalized new energy efficiency standards for electric motors that will save businesses money and reduce planet-warming emissions. This rule will improve motor efficiency by leveraging investments that manufacturers are already making to meet standards in the EU--a great win for industry and energy efficiency alike.

The agency worked alongside industry and energy efficiency advocates to formulate the rule. A working group, representing a wide array of stakeholders, from motor manufacturers, electric utilities, efficiency and environmental nonprofits provided the below joint recommendations that were adopted by DOE:

• Establish amended energy conservation standards for 100-250 horsepower (hp) electric motors at Super Premium/IE4 efficiency levels
  
• Establish new energy conservation standards for motors rated over 500 and up to and including 750 hp at Premium/IE3 efficiency levels
  
• Establish new energy conservation standards for air-over electric motors
  

According to DOE, the new standards would save American businesses up to $8.8 billion on utility bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 92 million metric tons over 30 years of sales.

The working group also recommended that DOE open a new test procedure rulemaking to modify the test procedure to better capture the benefits and representative operation of synchronous and inverter-only motors and to enable fair comparisons among different motor types.

The working group is comprised of National Electrical Manufacturers Association, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Appliance Standards Awareness Project, Natural Resources Defense Council and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.