Motor Starter Market - Strategic Insights and Forecasts (2026-2031)

The Global Motor Starter market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.1%, reaching USD 10.5 billion in 2031 from USD 7.8 billion in 2026.

Motor starters are used in motor control applications. It is a device that controls the electrical power needed to start a motor. It is used to stop, reverse, and protect electric motors. It is utilized to mitigate and prevent electrical overloading. The market is driven by its applications in multiple end-user industries like automotive, electrical & electronics, industrial, manufacturing, mining, and others.

With the increasing demand for sustainability and renewable energy integration, the forecast predicts that additions of solar PV and wind capacity will more than double by 2028 compared to 2022. This sets new records continuously throughout the forecast period, reaching nearly 710 GW. It creates the demand for motor starters in wind turbines, solar tracking systems, and energy storage solutions.

Motor Starter Market Drivers:

• Expansion of the Automotive Industry

The automotive manufacturing sector’s expansion will drive the motor starter industry’s growth. Electric motors are essential in various automotive applications, including power windows, HVAC systems, fuel pumps, and engine cooling fans. The surge in automotive production and sales, propelled by increased disposable income and growing consumer demand, is poised to positively influence the motor starter industry.

According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), global passenger car production surged from 57.05 million in 2021 to 61.59 million in 2022, reflecting a 7.96% increase. The expansion of demand for EVs has further fueled automobile sales, which exceeded 10 million in 2022.

• Expansion of manufacturing in growing economies

Electric motors are used for reliable starting and control mechanisms. Growing economies like India are expanding their domestic manufacturing capabilities. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) for semiconductor manufacturing in India is valued at US$9.71 billion, aimed at positioning India as a leading global producer of this critical component.

Further, the PLI initiative was introduced to create global manufacturing leaders across 13 sectors, with an allocation of approximately US$27.02 billion over the next five years, which began in FY22. Official data revealed that the purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's manufacturing sector increased to 49.2 in January 2024, compared to 49 in December of the previous year. These global manufacturing growths fuel the demand for motor starters.

• Rising demand for energy

The anticipated global growth in electricity demand is projected to accelerate to an average of 3.4% annually. This comes after a slight decline last year to 2.2%, primarily due to reduced power consumption in advanced economies. About 85% of the global increase in demand for electricity is predicted to come from developing countries in India, China, and Southeast Asian countries. The growing demand for energy conservation is propelling the demand for energy-efficient motor starters. These starters optimize motor operation, reducing energy consumption and overall operational costs.

Motor Starter Market Restraint:

• Availability of alternate option-

Alternative options, like variable frequency drive (VFD), can be viable for controlling the speed of electric motors used in industry. They can be utilized in small appliances to large compressors. VFDs are increasingly becoming useful as the cost and size have been reduced and performance improved through advances in semiconductor switching devices. Some motor starters come with a higher price tag, which can add resistance to cost complexity. Integrating newer technologies may require updating existing electrical systems, posing challenges to market growth.

Motor Starter Market Segment Analysis

• The motor starter market is segmented by type into manual starters, magnetic motor starters, rotor resistance starters, direct-on-line starters, and others.

The motor starter market is segmented by type into manual starter, magnetic motor starter, rotor resistance starter, direct-on-line starter, and others. The manual starter is mainly used manually for on/off and to provide fuseless protection against power failures. Magnetic motor starters are utilized where motors draw higher horsepower, such as in woodworking, commercial agriculture, mining, etc. A rotor resistance starter is applied in several hydraulic motor terminals. The direct-on-line starter is used for the water pumps, conveyor belts, fans, and compressors. Other categories include soft starters, combination starters, and reduced voltage starters.

• APAC is anticipated to hold a significant share of the motor starter market.

Several factors, such as increased consumer demand for automobiles, expanding population, and rising disposable income, impact the motor starter market in the Asia Pacific region.

China and India have emerged as the preferred locations for the automobile sector. To reduce their carbon impact, governments have put measures in place to upgrade infrastructure for electric and hybrid vehicles. Further, commercial vehicles are rising in demand. For instance, Mahindra introduced its new Scorpio SUV generation, powered by both a gasoline and a diesel engine, in India in June 2022.

China is anticipated to account for a sizable share because of the country's rising car adoption rates and expanding automotive sector. In 2022, China saw nearly 60% of all new electric car registrations worldwide. The proportion of electric cars within total domestic car sales in China rose to 29% in 2022, up from 16% in 2021.

Motor Starter Market Developments:

• November 2023 - Power Electronics introduced its latest innovation, the new Low-Voltage Soft Starter. The soft starters are engineered to deliver precise energy control, enhance performance optimization, and extend the life cycle of equipment.

• March 2023 - Siemens unveiled Innomotics, a new company in motors and large drives. This integrated entity will cover low—to high-voltage motors, geared motors, medium-voltage converters, and motor spindles and officially commence operations in Germany.

Motor Starter Market Company Products:

• Manual motor starters - It is an electromechanical device that protects the main circuit. The harmonized accessory range across the MS1xx and MO1xx families simplifies planning and logistics. They feature a handle for manual ON/OFF switching and protect against short-circuit currents and overloads. Temperature compensation is available up to +60°C, and the short-circuit service breaking capacity (Ics) can reach 100kA.

• SIRIUS 3RM1 motor starter - It offers space savings of up to 75%. With a compact width of just 22.5 mm, it efficiently switches and protects small motors up to 3 kW. This motor starter is available in direct-on-line and reversing configurations, including safety functionality. Additionally, it holds certifications from IEC, CCC, and UL.

• DUO series - It offers a power range from 15 kW at 240V AC to 22 kW at 415V AC, with a maximum current rating of 50A. The manual motor starter offers protection against overload, phase loss, and short circuits in the motor circuit. It includes a dial for flexible adjustment to align with the total motor load current.

Motor Starter Market Scope