Based on a recent study carried out for the European Union (EU), this paper briefly characterizes the motor electricity end-use consumption in the industrial and in the services sectors, in the EU countries, and estimates the identified electricity savings potential with the application of energy-efficient motor technologies, namely energy-efficient motors, variable speed drives and efficient end-use devices (pumps, fans and compressors). Additionally, there is a detailed presentation of the barriers for the penetration of energy-efficient motor systems, which have been identified in the field, as well as an extensive description of the measures to overcome those barriers and promote energy-efficient motor systems.