This paper compares the environmental and life cycle impact of one switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive and two inverter-fed induction motor (IM) drives. The study was carried out according to the Directive on the Ecodesign of Energy-Using Products (EuP 2005/32/EC) and following the Methodology for the Ecodesign of Energy-Using Products (MEEUP). The following base-case models were used: an IM (Eff3), an IM (Eff1) and an 8/6 SRM. All of these base-case models are rated at 1.5 kW of output power and are considered to be representative of the low-power range. The analysis shows that SRM drive has a lower environmental impact than the IM drives and offers a high savings potential, comparable to, or even greater than that of the IM (Eff1) in the use phase.