# Electric motors and drives: Overview

The machines that use half the world's electricity

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/overview/

The machines that use half the world's electricity What this tile covers Machines that turn electricity into motion, using about half of the world's electricity. Share of use 11% share of final energy use (2023)

Share of world total final energy consumption (about 435 EJ, calculated: motor systems 13,462 TWh are 53% of electricity, so about 25,400 TWh or 91 EJ, and electricity is about 21% of final energy) that passes through this device or is used by this sector, latest year available. Electricity-based devices use electricity's 21% share of final energy (IEA WEO 2025). Overlaps between devices and sectors are allowed and noted. Motor systems used 13,462 TWh, 53% of world electricity, in 2023; with electricity at about 21% of final energy that is about 11.1% (calculated). Overlaps industry, buildings, heat pumps and data centres. Source: [Policy brief: Electric motor systems, why are they important?](https://www.iea-4e.org/emsa/publications/policy-brief-electric-motor-systems-why-are-they-important/), IEA 4E Electric Motor Systems Annex (EMSA).

#### Key facts

| **Chain** | Electrical → mechanical |
|---|---|
| **Typical efficiency** | 90% and above |

#### Included from the reference tables

- AC, DC, brushless, induction and stepper motors
- Linear motors and maglev
- Solenoids and actuators
- Pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors

#### Linked to the material world
[Cu Copper](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/copper/)[REE Rare earths](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/rare_earths/)[St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/)

#### Also in Conversion devices
[ST Steam turbines and thermal power plants](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_steam_turbines/)[CCGT Gas turbines and combined cycle](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_turbines/)[ICE Internal combustion engines and gensets](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/)[Gen Generators and alternators](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/)[PE Transformers and power electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/)[FC Fuel cells](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_fuel_cells/)[Elz Electrolysers](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrolysers/)[HP Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/)[EH Electric heating](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electric_heat/)[LED Lighting and displays](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_lighting/)[Blr Boilers, furnaces and stoves](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_combustion_heat/)

Explore paths from here
 More on this tile in the tabs above: science and limits, value chain, unit economics, engineering methods, equipment and suppliers.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/correlation/index.md)
- [Science and limits](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/science/index.md)
- [Value chain](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/valuechain/index.md)
- [Unit economics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/economics/index.md)
- [Engineering methods](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/methods/index.md)
- [Equipment and suppliers](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/equipment/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/links/index.md)