What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to analyze the impact of electric motors on overall U.S. energy consumption and forecast future changes.

March 26, 2026Open Access

Torque of the Town

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The research aims to analyze the impact of electric motors on overall U.S. energy consumption and forecast future changes.
Reviewed current data on electric motor usage in the U.S.
Analyzed factors influencing energy consumption such as AI growth and EV adoption.
Considered the effects of building electrification and reshoring on energy dynamics.
Electric motors account for approximately 50% of U.S. electricity use.
Projected shifts in electric motor energy consumption due to AI and EV developments.
Identified potential impacts of reshoring on future energy policies.

Abstract

Abstract Despite being ubiquitous in modern life, electric motors receive surprisingly little attention from policymakers. But electric motors play an often-overlooked role in U.S. energy consumption, accounting for roughly 50 percent of all U.S. electricity use. How this share might shift in coming decades due to several converging forces, from AI data center growth to building electrification, EV adoption, and the potential reshoring of American manufacturing.

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Harry Kennard

Energy Institute

Michael E. Webber

The University of Texas at Austin

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Mechanical Engineering

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Torque of the Town

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Abstract

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