As manufacturers navigate rising energy costs, tightening sustainability requirements, and increasing competitive pressure, one operational lever stands out as both immediate and transformative: motor efficiency. Electric motors power nearly every industrial system and their cumulative energy demand makes them one of the most influential variables in cost, carbon footprint, and long‑term resilience.

In 2025, the path forward became even clearer when ABB set a new world record for industrial motor efficiency, achieving 99.13% efficiency under IEC‑verified testing standards. This milestone says something important about where manufacturing is heading: in 2026, motor efficiency isn’t an upgrade - it’s a strategic necessity!

The Case for Efficiency: Why 2026 Is a Turning Point

1. Motors Drive Industrial Energy Consumption

Large motors represent a small fraction of the total global motor population, yet they account for approximately 25% of all motion‑related energy use. Electricity‑intensive sectors such as air separation rely heavily on these motors and therefore  electricity becomes the dominant operational cost driver.

Even modest improvements in motor efficiency deliver outsized impact. When efficiency jumps above 98.8% (long considered top performance) the savings compound across years of continuous operation, especially in processes running 24/7.

2. Efficiency Performance Is Surpassing Traditional Benchmarks

While most large industrial motors struggle to hit even 98.8% efficiency, ABB’s record‑setting motor surpassed this threshold, reaching 99.13% efficiency through intentional engineering of every design component.

This is not an accidental gain; it’s a signal that industry leaders are not waiting for standards to change, they are engineering the future now.

3. Efficiency Investments Deliver Rapid ROI

Energy‑intensive industries )especially those with stable processes in non‑hazardous environments) are adopting high‑efficiency motors because they produce:

• Lower total cost of ownership
• Faster payback periods
• Reduced downtime
• Higher operational reliability

This aligns directly with customer priorities: lower CO₂ emissions, lower OpEx, and higher performance - all at once.

Motor Efficiency Through the BBEB Lens

At Building Back Ever Better, we view efficiency improvements as more than operational wins, they are pillars of strategic resilience. Motor upgrades exemplify three core BBEB values:

1. Systems‑Level Thinking

Continuous improvement is not achieved through one‑off fixes. Replacing or redesigning motors shifts an entire energy system toward lower waste and higher performance, unlocking compounding benefits across the organization.

2. Data‑Driven Impact

Efficiency gains can be quantified immediately through reductions in kWh consumption and cost. They also create downstream improvements in maintenance, asset life, and process stability.

3. Future‑Ready Infrastructure

High‑efficiency motors deliver environmental benefits that strengthen compliance with ESG frameworks, carbon reporting requirements, and customer expectations for sustainable operations.

Motor efficiency is, in every sense, an investment in the long‑term health of the business.

Why This Matters for 2026

The manufacturers entering 2026 with a proactive efficiency strategy will be better positioned to manage volatility in energy markets, regulatory changes, and global competitive pressures.

With technologies now exceeding 99% efficiency (and real‑world examples showing what is possible) the bar is rising. Those who move now will build meaningful competitive advantages in cost, resilience, and sustainability.