Enhanced NEMA Premium Standards Optimize Motor Performance to Power a New Era of High Efficiency Electrical Systems

Summary

ARLINGTON, Va. - July 10, 2025 - The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) today announced enhanced efficiency levels for its NEMA Premium program, voluntarily raising the bar for energy efficiency in electric motors used across municipal, industrial and commercial applications. The NEMA Premium program enables manufacturers to demonstrate to purchasers and specifiers that their motors deliver superior performance through exceptional energy savings, long-term system reliability and reduced power consumption.
 
Electrical motors power a wide range of machines and processes–including fans, pumps, compressors, robots and conveyers–consuming more than half of all electricity in the United States. Based on U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) data, the NEMA Premium motor program is projected to save 5,800 gigawatts of electricity over the next 10 years–equivalent to preventing nearly 80 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
 
The NEMA Premium program helps purchasers identify higher efficiency motors that save money and improve system reliability. Companies with products that meet or exceed the motor efficiency guidelines outlined by NEMA Premium Efficiency and Premium Efficiency 4 (as defined in NEMA MG 00001) are granted labels that allow purchasers to identify premium efficient products with ease and confidence.  
 
“For over 20 years, the NEMA Premium program has driven innovation for energy efficiency in electrical motors. These new efficiency levels reflect NEMA’s commitment to lead in a rapidly evolving energy landscape,” said Debra Phillips, president and CEO, NEMA. “NEMA’s Premium program is a critical tool in helping electrical manufacturers and their customers meet their sustainability, operational and affordability goals.”

“We’re excited NEMA’s program recognizes recent innovations in motor technology. The updates to NEMA’s program will help drive adoption of advanced motors that reduce losses by up to 20%,” said Ben Hinds, executive vice president of Climate and Commercial Solutions, ABB. “These updates couldn’t come at a better time as cities and utilities struggle to keep up with increased power demand from AI and data center installations.”

“The NEMA Premium program was originally developed before DOE efficiency regulations to provide confidence to buyers that they would get the savings they paid for. The program has now been enhanced to provide that same level of confidence, as motor efficiencies once again run ahead of the DOE regulations. The NEMA Premium program ensures all certified manufacturers are tested and verified to the same standard,” said Dale Basso, Product Manager, Low Voltage Motors, WEG Electric Corp.

About NEMA

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents more than 300 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers that make safe, reliable and efficient products and systems. Together, our members contribute 1% of U.S. GDP and directly provide nearly 460,000 American jobs, contributing more than $250 billion to the U.S. economy.