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Electric motors: the backbone of modern life

Electric motors power today’s world – from heat pumps and air conditioning systems to production lines and household appliances. In industry, they are critical for production processes, where efficiency affects both operational costs and the carbon footprint of entire operations.

Variable-speed drives are particularly important because they let motors adjust their speed and power according to demand, avoiding wasteful operation at full capacity when it’s not needed. These systems are most commonly used in pumps, fans, and compressors – wherever loads fluctuate dynamically.

Energy use in the EU contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Every efficiency gain matters not only economically but also environmentally. Tightening motor and drive requirements aligns naturally with the EU Green Deal and the bloc’s climate goals.

From 2019 regulations to today’s technology

Current EU ecodesign rules for electric motors have been in place since 2019. Since then, technology has advanced, both in motor design and control systems. Modern solutions can achieve higher efficiency classes at similar production costs and can often integrate with smart energy management systems.

The European Commission emphasizes that the review has two main goals: updating standards to reflect technological progress and exploring potential expansion of the rules’ scope. It’s not just about energy efficiency – material use and circular economy principles also come into play. This could include requirements for dismantling, component reuse, or limiting the use of critical raw materials.

For manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, adapting to these new standards could be costly. Whether the EU will provide support mechanisms or leave businesses to bear the burden – with the risk of production moving outside the EU – remains an open question.

Consultations: a first step, but enough?

The current stage involves collecting opinions – an open invitation to manufacturers, industry stakeholders, and individuals. Responses can be submitted until September 22, 2025, after which the Commission will consider the feedback in its analysis.

Formally, this demonstrates transparency, but in practice, it is hard to predict whether the consultations will truly influence the rules. Experiences from other sectors show that private sector input can have limited effect, especially when ambitious climate goals are a political priority.

Still, lessons from other EU projects, like OSNMA, show that insufficient early engagement can lead to problems during implementation. For ecodesign, which affects millions of devices, the potential scale of complications is much greater.

Ambition vs. reality – how far will the revision go?

According to the schedule, the next step after analyzing feedback is an impact assessment, with new rules expected to come into force in 2029. This timeline allows for adaptation but raises questions about how detailed the requirements will be.

Will the Commission merely raise minimum efficiency classes, or go further, introducing criteria for durability, repairability, and material recovery? Expanding the rules in line with circular economy principles would align with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), but could also require significant changes to manufacturing models.

Finding the right balance between ambition and feasibility is key. Too strict standards could harm the competitiveness of European businesses, while insufficient action could undermine the credibility of EU climate policy.

Is the market ready for transformation?

Variable-speed motors are not a niche market – they are central to multiple sectors, from industry to households. Any change in requirements will have broad implications. Manufacturers will need to invest in R&D, while operators will have to modernize infrastructure. In today’s economic context, with cost pressures and energy uncertainties, can the market meet these challenges?

The Commission hopes the current consultation stage will provide answers. Yet experience shows that the real test comes when the draft regulation is published. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking – 2029 may seem distant, but in investment cycles, it is only a few years away.

The upcoming ecodesign review is more than a technical update to the 2019 rules – it could be one of the most significant moves toward decarbonizing Europe’s industrial economy. Whether it will drive innovation or create tensions between regulators and manufacturers remains to be seen.

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