EU governments challenge Brussels plan to favour electricity over gas

More than a dozen EU governments have objected to European Commission plans designed to make electricity more attractive than natural gas through taxes and charges, according to Euronews reporting on an energy-ministers meeting in Luxembourg.

Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and several other member states expressed concern that proposed rules would infringe national powers over taxation and electricity network charges. The objections arose during discussions of how to reduce energy costs and encourage electrification.

The Commission wants households and industry to shift from fossil fuels towards electricity, including through heat pumps and electric vehicles. But electricity networks require substantial investment, with part of their costs passed on to consumers.

Governments argued that energy taxation and grid charging remain areas where member states need flexibility. The reported objection concerns a draft proposal, not a final decision to raise all gas taxes across the Union.

Euronews said rising energy costs had increased pressure on ministers to protect consumers and industrial competitiveness. The dispute came as gas prices were volatile and European manufacturers faced costly power supply.

The material did not establish that the Commission had withdrawn the proposal or that a revised tax regime had entered into force. Negotiations among member states were continuing.