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The 2026 Middle East war shows that Europe's fossil fuel dependence leaves consumers vulnerable to price shocks.
The electrification of homes and cars, powered by renewable energy, addresses the issue by reducing this dependence.
The speed of this energy transition rests on a complex set of factors tackled by the European Commission's proposal on 'future-proofing electricity bills': how electricity is taxed, how much households pay to use the grid, and how efficiently the grid is operated.
BEUC welcomes the proposal, yet urges European legislators to address questions such as special network tariff regimes and household grid access.
The electrification of homes and cars, powered by renewable energy, addresses the issue by reducing this dependence.
The speed of this energy transition rests on a complex set of factors tackled by the European Commission's proposal on 'future-proofing electricity bills': how electricity is taxed, how much households pay to use the grid, and how efficiently the grid is operated.
BEUC welcomes the proposal, yet urges European legislators to address questions such as special network tariff regimes and household grid access.
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For too long, consumers have been locked into an energy and transport system fundamentally based on (imported) fossil fuels.
This exposes consumers to volatile fossil fuel prices, negatively impacting household budgets, as well the planet, our health, and geopolitical security.
Change is afoot to decarbonise our economy, influenced by clear EU policies in energy, product design, and the automotive sector.
BEUC research has consistently shown that electrification in many consumer areas – cars, cooling, heating – is the most affordable option.
This paper summarises BEUC’s position on the Electrification Action Plan.
This exposes consumers to volatile fossil fuel prices, negatively impacting household budgets, as well the planet, our health, and geopolitical security.
Change is afoot to decarbonise our economy, influenced by clear EU policies in energy, product design, and the automotive sector.
BEUC research has consistently shown that electrification in many consumer areas – cars, cooling, heating – is the most affordable option.
This paper summarises BEUC’s position on the Electrification Action Plan.
Position papers
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Housing has become one of the top concerns for European consumers, and for good reason: decent, safe and affordable homes are increasingly out of reach. The issue is straightforward: supply of this kind of housing is failing to meet demand.
Several avenues exist to speed up procedures, notably stepping up the renovation rates. However, faster delivery cannot come at the expense of consumer protection.
To address the housing crisis, this issue should be addressed at EU level. That is one of the reasons we welcomed the recent publication of the Affordable Housing Act.
At this stage, the precise scope of the package remains uncertain. In the absence of further clarity, BEUC sets out in this paper the principles that should guide the Commission’s work, as well as the red lines that must not be crossed from a consumer perspective.
Several avenues exist to speed up procedures, notably stepping up the renovation rates. However, faster delivery cannot come at the expense of consumer protection.
To address the housing crisis, this issue should be addressed at EU level. That is one of the reasons we welcomed the recent publication of the Affordable Housing Act.
At this stage, the precise scope of the package remains uncertain. In the absence of further clarity, BEUC sets out in this paper the principles that should guide the Commission’s work, as well as the red lines that must not be crossed from a consumer perspective.
Reports
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Consumer reality check report: how best to ensure support reaches consumers that need it
Financing instruments such as grants or loans exist to help consumers renovate their homes to make them more energy efficient as well as more affordable, healthier, and comfortable. Yet, administrative hurdles and complex procedures often discourage or prevent households from doing so. Moreover, financial support is often insufficient or out of reach for many consumers.
This report synthesises insights and assessments of 14 national consumer organisation across Europe on financing instruments for consumers in the energy sector.
Financing instruments such as grants or loans exist to help consumers renovate their homes to make them more energy efficient as well as more affordable, healthier, and comfortable. Yet, administrative hurdles and complex procedures often discourage or prevent households from doing so. Moreover, financial support is often insufficient or out of reach for many consumers.
This report synthesises insights and assessments of 14 national consumer organisation across Europe on financing instruments for consumers in the energy sector.
Press releases
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The EU today published a series of proposals to decarbonise Europe’s economy and reform energy bills. For consumers, this can mean more affordable bills and easier participation in the energy transition.
Reports
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The CLEAR-HP project helped to accompany consumers across Europe throughout the whole purchasing journey of switching from a fossil fuel boiler to a heat pump.
The project aimed to raise consumer awareness, build confidence in heat pump technology, and ultimately enhance both the energy efficiency and comfort of people’s homes.
At its core, national consumer organisations in seven European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Portugal) organised collective purchase campaigns for independently-tested heat pumps.
Participants benefited from advantageous purchase and installation packages that included consumer support and workshops throughout the process.
As the project comes to an end, this report takes an in-depth look at what the partners managed to achieve and proposes some key takeaways for policymakers.
The project aimed to raise consumer awareness, build confidence in heat pump technology, and ultimately enhance both the energy efficiency and comfort of people’s homes.
At its core, national consumer organisations in seven European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Portugal) organised collective purchase campaigns for independently-tested heat pumps.
Participants benefited from advantageous purchase and installation packages that included consumer support and workshops throughout the process.
As the project comes to an end, this report takes an in-depth look at what the partners managed to achieve and proposes some key takeaways for policymakers.
Reports
Available in
English
The days of gas as a home-heating solution will eventually come to an end, as consumers move to cleaner options like heat pumps.
This will mean the gas network will become increasingly unused with the remaining consumers connected to it having to pay for it. Without public support, this will mean significant costs for consumers, according to a new report from BEUC, The European Consumer Organisation.
The rising costs of maintaining the gas network will also disproportionately impact those least able to switch to cleaner heating options (for example, vulnerable consumers or tenants).
This will mean the gas network will become increasingly unused with the remaining consumers connected to it having to pay for it. Without public support, this will mean significant costs for consumers, according to a new report from BEUC, The European Consumer Organisation.
The rising costs of maintaining the gas network will also disproportionately impact those least able to switch to cleaner heating options (for example, vulnerable consumers or tenants).
Press releases
Available in
English
The European Commission today published its Accelerate EU plan, a much-needed set of measures to help consumers through the current fossil fuel crisis and beyond.
Under the plans, the Commission will legislate to reduce electricity taxes and network charges for all consumers. This would have a tangible impact on consumers’ energy bills: lowering taxes alone could lead to bill reductions of around 14%. Assistance will also be given to EU governments on how to provide targeted support to consumers who need it and promote social leasing schemes for electric cars.
Under the plans, the Commission will legislate to reduce electricity taxes and network charges for all consumers. This would have a tangible impact on consumers’ energy bills: lowering taxes alone could lead to bill reductions of around 14%. Assistance will also be given to EU governments on how to provide targeted support to consumers who need it and promote social leasing schemes for electric cars.