Electrifying Cooking in Europe

CLASP is partnering with organizations, advocates, and experts to build a strong evidence base and raise awareness about the benefits of electric cooking. This growing network is urging European governments to develop impactful Ecodesign and Energy Labelling policies that favor clean cooking, improve energy efficiency, and support the widespread and equitable adoption of electric cooking appliances in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Electric cooking is the cleanest and healthiest solution.

CLASP research reveals that gas hobs (cooktops) emit nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a harmful pollutant. Gas cooking has been linked to asthma symptoms in over 700,000 children in the EU and 500,000 in the UK. Switching to electric cooking is the quickest way to eliminate this pollution at its source.

Over 54% of European households using gas for cooking exceed WHO's indoor air quality limits for NO₂.

The 2023 reports “Exposing the Hidden Health Impacts of Cooking with Gas” focused on the EU and “The Public Health and Environmental Impacts of Cooking with Gas in the UK” by CLASP and EPHA, with scientific support from TNO, found that gas cooking releases hazardous air pollutants into homes. Decades of research link gas cooking to serious health impacts.

We estimate that over 700,000 children in the EU experienced asthma symptoms linked to gas cooking, within a 12-month timeframe. While ventilation can help, it’s not sufficient. Recirculation hoods are ineffective at removing NO₂, and externally vented hoods are only effective if properly maintained and used long enough.

Health impacts of pollutants from gas cooking

Building on this research, CLASP conducted a Europe-wide field study in 2023, in collaboration with TNO and Opinium Research. The findings, published in “Clearing the Air: Gas Cooking and Pollution in European Homes,” confirmed that gas cooking releases harmful pollutants into homes across Europe, often exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and EU and UK outdoor air pollution limits.

Percentage of gas- and electric-cooking homes exceeding NO₂ limit and guideline values

In homes equipped with electric hobs, indoor NO₂ levels generally remain lower than those outdoors, even when windows are opened and outdoor pollution enters. However, in homes with gas hobs, indoor NO₂ levels often exceed levels outside.

Comparison of NO₂ concentrations

Transitioning to electric cooking is cost-effective in the long run.

CLASP assessed the economic cost of transitioning to electric cooking and quantified the health costs of gas cooking, showing that switching to electric is both feasible and cost-effective.

Gas cooking is estimated to cost the EU €3.5 billion and the UK £1.4 billion annually in societal costs.

While CLASP research found that 45% of European consumers believe gas hobs are the cheapest to purchase, the total cost of ownership over a 15-year lifespan tells a different story. Electric hobs – hotplates, induction, and infrared – typically offer lower total ownership costs compared to gas hobs. Although induction hobs tend to have a higher upfront cost, small government incentives can make them more affordable for many households.

CLASP’s report on the hidden health impacts of gas cooking in the EU reveals that gas hobs come with significant hidden costs. Indoor air pollution from gas cooking is estimated to cost the EU €3.5 billion annually in healthcare, lost productivity, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY). When these health-related costs are factored in, electric hobs become the clear, cost-effective choice across all countries.

Differences between the total cost of ownership of gas and electric hobs in the EU

Electric cooking is the only way to decarbonize kitchens, helping Europe meet its climate targets.

Electric cooking, especially when powered by renewables, is more efficient and environmentally-friendly than cooking with gas. Tests conducted by CLASP show that gas hob efficiency is overestimated by current performance measurement methods.

According to CLASP estimates, a phase-down of gas hobs in 2027 and a phase-out in 2030 would prevent 60 million tons of CO₂e emissions by 2050.

Although gas and electric hobs serve the same purpose, they are tested differently to determine energy efficiency. For example, gas hobs are tested with larger cookware than what’s typically used at home, ensuring the gas flame’s heat is fully captured under the pot, which makes the test results seem more energy efficient for gas hobs. In contrast, electric hobs are tested with smaller cookware, more commonly used in households. These testing methods don’t reflect the actual energy efficiency differences between gas and electric cooking technologies and don’t reflect real-life consumer use.

Existing Ecodesign regulations rely on these different test procedures to determine the efficiency of gas and electric hobs. As a result, they do not encourage improvement of hob efficiency, which is essential for meeting net-zero goals by 2050. Transitioning to more efficient electric hobs would prevent CO₂e emissions by 60 million tons by 2050.

In 2023 and 2024, CLASP collaborated with testing experts and an accredited laboratory to develop a test method to accurately compare the energy efficiency of gas and electric hobs. Testing with this method confirmed that electric hobs are more efficient than gas hobs. For instance, heating water to 90°C took nearly 13 minutes with a gas hob using an aluminum pot, compared to just over 6 minutes with an induction hob using a stainless steel pot.

Gas vs. induction: comparison of time required to heat water to 90°C

Appliance efficiency policies and financial incentives will drive the shift to healthier, more efficient electric cooking.

CLASP is gathering evidence and collaborating with the European Commission and UK Government to improve product efficiency, reduce pollution, and ensure people have the information and financial support they need to make sustainable choices when buying hobs.

European consumers want industry to improve its products and for governments to support the shift to electric cooking.

While most Nordic countries primarily use electric hobs, about half of European households still cook with gas. In countries like Italy, Romania, and Slovakia, over 80% of households rely on gas for cooking. This highlights the need for policy measures to reduce the use of polluting gas hobs.

Type of hob used by country, based on 8,000 survey respondents

The European Commission is reviewing the Ecodesign standards for cooking appliances, with new regulations expected by the end of 2025, which will be implemented by 2027. CLASP has recommended setting NO₂ testing requirements and emission limits in the regulations, which should be based on a single standardized test method. This will allow policymakers and consumers to compare the energy efficiency of gas and electric hobs. As a result, the European Commission has included NO₂ emission testing requirements and limits in the 2024 draft regulatory proposals, and industry has developed a formal testing process through the CEN/CENELEC technical committee. We are also working with the UK Government as they develop similar regulations.