Key Findings

• Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) offer a unique design advantage due to the absence of permanent magnets and rotor windings, resulting in high reliability and lower manufacturing costs.
• SRMs provide excellent performance in harsh environments due to their robust construction, making them ideal for automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications.
• The market is experiencing growing adoption in electric vehicles (EVs) and HVAC systems due to high torque density, fault tolerance, and efficiency at variable speeds.
• Ongoing advancements in control electronics and sensorless operation are addressing traditional limitations related to torque ripple and noise.
• Asia-Pacific is currently leading the SRM market, driven by rising industrial automation and large-scale EV production in China and South Korea.
• Major manufacturers include Nidec Corporation, AMETEK, ABB Ltd., Turntide Technologies, and Regal Rexnord.
• OEMs are increasingly replacing induction and brushless DC motors with SRMs in low-speed, high-torque industrial and transport applications.
• SRM integration in hybrid systems and renewable energy solutions is opening new growth opportunities for smart grid and storage applications.

Switched Reluctance Motors Market Overview

Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) represent an emerging class of electric motors known for their ruggedness, cost-effectiveness, and simple mechanical design. Unlike conventional motors that rely on permanent magnets or conductors on the rotor, SRMs use a simple salient pole rotor and electromagnet stator, controlled by sophisticated power electronics.This architecture offers several key benefits: high-speed operation, robust thermal performance, low rotor inertia, and high tolerance to temperature and mechanical stress. As such, SRMs are gaining popularity across automotive (particularly in electric vehicles), aerospace, HVAC, industrial automation, and home appliances.With the global shift towards electrification and energy efficiency, SRMs are increasingly viewed as a sustainable alternative to traditional motors, offering reduced rare-earth material dependence and improved operational flexibility.

Switched Reluctance Motors Market Size and Forecast

The global switched reluctance motors market was valued at USD 590 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.95 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 18.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2031.This growth is primarily driven by the rising adoption of SRMs in electric vehicle drivetrains, heating and cooling systems, and industrial pumps and compressors. The demand for energy-efficient motors, combined with regulatory pushes for low-emission technologies, is encouraging OEMs to shift from induction and brushless motors toward SRM-based solutions.

Future Outlook For Switched Reluctance Motors Market

The future of the SRM market lies in advanced integration with AI-driven motor control systems, sensorless drive algorithms, and silicon carbide (SiC)-based power electronics. These innovations will further reduce torque ripple, noise, and energy loss historical challenges of SRMs making them suitable for a broader spectrum of applications. Electrification trends in heavy-duty vehicles, drones, and military-grade machinery will benefit significantly from SRMs’ high torque-to-weight ratio and thermal robustness. Additionally, as the cost and complexity of control electronics decline, SRMs will become viable for mass-market consumer applications like washing machines, HVAC fans, and even portable tools.Government incentives for EVs and mandates for rare-earth-free motor designs will further enhance the attractiveness of SRMs in global electrification initiatives.

Switched Reluctance Motors Market Trends

• Growing Penetration in Electric Vehicles (EVs): SRMs are increasingly being used in EVs due to their efficiency at variable speeds, fault tolerance, and thermal stability. Unlike permanent magnet motors, SRMs do not require rare-earth materials, aligning with cost and sustainability goals of EV manufacturers. Advanced vector control techniques and real-time current profiling are now enabling smoother performance for automotive-grade SRMs, boosting their integration in EV traction systems.
• Adoption in HVAC and Pumping Systems: SRMs are being deployed in air compressors, heating and ventilation blowers, and variable-speed pumping systems due to their energy-saving potential. These motors exhibit excellent efficiency under part-load conditions and allow sensorless control, reducing system complexity. In regions with stringent energy efficiency regulations, such as Europe and North America, HVAC manufacturers are rapidly transitioning to SRM-based solutions to meet seasonal performance factor (SPF) and energy label requirements.
• Expansion in Industrial Automation and Robotics: Industrial sectors are increasingly shifting to SRMs for conveyors, textile machinery, CNC equipment, and robotics where torque density, control flexibility, and system durability are critical. SRMs provide higher torque per ampere, and their simple rotor design leads to minimal maintenance. As industrial automation accelerates globally, especially in APAC, demand for SRMs as a reliable and programmable drive system is witnessing a steep rise.
• Integration with Wide Bandgap Semiconductors: The use of SiC and GaN-based inverters is enhancing the performance of SRM drives by enabling higher switching frequencies and thermal efficiencies. These wide bandgap technologies allow compact and lightweight inverter designs with improved signal modulation, reducing electromagnetic interference and heat loss. This evolution is crucial for aerospace, military, and high-speed mobility systems where compactness and high power density are critical.

Switched Reluctance Motors Market Growth Drivers

• Elimination of Rare Earth Dependency: SRMs do not use permanent magnets, eliminating the need for rare-earth materials such as neodymium and dysprosium. This reduces cost volatility, simplifies sourcing, and supports environmentally responsible manufacturing. Governments and corporations alike are prioritizing motor technologies that avoid geopolitical dependencies on rare-earth supply chains, making SRMs an attractive alternative.
• Increasing Demand for Energy Efficiency: Global emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in industrial and residential sectors is fostering demand for motors with higher performance under variable loads. SRMs provide up to 10% better part-load efficiency compared to induction motors, especially in compressor and fan applications. This positions them favorably for compliance with global energy regulations such as IEC 60034 and NEMA standards.
• Electrification of Mobility and Industrial Equipment: As electrification expands beyond passenger EVs to commercial vehicles, drones, AGVs, and material handling equipment, SRMs are increasingly being chosen for their robustness, cost advantage, and easy scalability. Their ability to operate reliably in dusty, humid, or corrosive environments makes them well-suited for off-road electric equipment and logistics vehicles.
• Advances in Motor Control Algorithms: Technological progress in digital controllers, including field-oriented control (FOC) and adaptive torque compensation, has made SRMs smoother, quieter, and more dynamic in response. Machine learning is also being employed to optimize real-time switching sequences and reduce current ripple, improving both performance and user experience in consumer and industrial settings.

Challenges in the Switched Reluctance Motors Market

• Torque Ripple and Acoustic Noise: A significant drawback of SRMs is their inherent torque ripple, leading to mechanical vibration and acoustic noise. This limits adoption in noise-sensitive applications like medical equipment or household appliances. While sophisticated control algorithms and rotor shaping techniques help mitigate the issue, they also add to system complexity and cost.
• Complex Control and Drive Electronics: SRMs require non-linear current control and precise rotor position detection for optimal performance, demanding complex drive electronics. This increases the upfront integration cost and poses challenges for companies unfamiliar with SRM technology. Though sensorless operation is improving, it still struggles in low-speed or start-stop applications.
• Lack of Standardization and Ecosystem Maturity: Unlike induction or BLDC motors, the SRM ecosystem lacks mature industry standards and design interoperability. Component suppliers and OEMs often must develop custom drives and software, lengthening time-to-market and increasing R&D costs. The shortage of plug-and-play SRM solutions limits adoption by smaller manufacturers.
• Thermal Management and Material Stress: Despite better heat tolerance than PM motors, SRMs can experience localized heating and higher iron losses at high-speed operation. This necessitates careful design of stator laminations and heat dissipation pathways. In harsh environments, improper cooling or oversizing can reduce motor lifespan or efficiency.

Switched Reluctance Motors Market Segmentation

By Power Rating

• Low Power (<1 kW)
• Medium Power (1–100 kW)
• High Power (>100 kW)

By Application

• Electric Vehicles
• Industrial Machinery
• HVAC Systems
• Aerospace and Defense
• Household Appliances

By Rotor Type

• Single Stack
• Double Stack
• Multi-stack Designs

By Control Type

• Sensor-Based Control
• Sensorless Control

By End-User Industry

• Automotive
• Aerospace
• Oil & Gas
• Manufacturing
• Utilities & Energy

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

Leading Players

• Nidec Corporation
• AMETEK Inc.
• ABB Ltd.
• Turntide Technologies
• Regal Rexnord Corporation
• Emerson Electric Co.
• Celera Motion (Novanta Inc.)
• Schaeffler Group
• Maccon GmbH
• Ritscher Group

Recent Developments

• Nidec Corporation expanded its product line with high-efficiency SRMs for traction motors in electric trucks and buses, focusing on rare-earth-free drivetrains.
• ABB Ltd.developed compact SRM systems for HVAC automation, highlighting energy efficiency and integration with building management systems.
• Turntide Technologiessecured funding to scale up its smart SRM solutions for sustainable mobility and industrial cooling systems.
• AMETEKintroduced a new family of rugged SRMs targeted at aerospace and defense sectors, optimized for high-shock environments.
• Regal Rexnordlaunched software-tuned SRM motors for commercial refrigeration and building ventilation with predictive maintenance features.