As 2026 begins, China's motor industry enters a standardized upgrading phase, with core standard adjustments driving green transition. Building on 2025's focus on energy efficiency enhancement and variable frequency insulation specifications, 2026's standards shift to basic general requirements, specialized motor norms and energy efficiency labeling rules, covering permanent magnet synchronous, high-voltage asynchronous and lifting & metallurgical motors, in line with national low-carbon goals.
Key 2025 standards laid a solid foundation. The mandatory GB 30253-2024 for permanent magnet
Synchronous Motors, effective October 2025, raised energy efficiency thresholds to IE4/IE5 and phased out low-efficiency products. Meanwhile, GB/T 21707-2025 on variable frequency motor insulation, enforced December 2025, addressed reliability issues under harmonic impacts. For 2026, the Implementation Rules for Energy Efficiency Labeling took effect January 1, with a two-year transition period, and specialized standards will fill gaps in high-power industrial applications.
These upgrades are expected to boost high-efficiency motor penetration from below 10% in 2023 to over 30% by 2026, saving over 26 billion kWh annually. Domestic enterprises are accelerating IE5-level product R&D. Aligned with international standards, the new norms will enhance industry competitiveness and advance national energy conservation and carbon reduction goals.