E.ON Survey Shows Middle East Conflict Driving German Worry Over Energy Prices And Supply, But Daily Habits Barely Change

The ongoing war in the Middle East is creating increasing uncertainty among the German population. According to a survey commissioned by E.ON, nine out of ten Germans are worried about further increases in energy prices as a result of the conflict. In addition, 70 percent of respondents expressed concern about potential supply shortages of oil and natural gas in Germany.

Despite these high levels of concern, most people have so far changed their daily behavior only slightly. More than half of Germans reported that they have not yet reduced their energy consumption. Interest in switching to electric vehicles has increased somewhat in response to rising fuel prices, but remains low overall, with only around one in five drivers of conventional vehicles seriously considering the switch.

A similar trend is observed among homeowners with gas or oil heating systems, with fewer than one third indicating an increased willingness to transition to a heat pump. The survey reveals a central contradiction: while concerns about rising energy costs and supply security are significant, concrete changes in energy-related behavior have not kept pace. The current situation underscores the direct link between global geopolitical events and the energy supply, demonstrating how international conflicts can affect citizens’ daily lives.

The survey also shows a strong desire among the German population for greater energy independence. Four out of five respondents expressed the wish for Germany to reduce its reliance on imported energy. More than half of Germans see the acceleration of the energy transition as the most effective way to achieve this, including expanding renewable energy generation and promoting the electrification of transport and heating. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels is considered essential for both energy security and long-term resilience in Germany and Europe.

The results highlight the importance of raising public awareness about the personal and societal benefits of reduced fossil fuel dependence. A successful energy transition requires not only acceptance and engagement from the population but also clear, reliable, and affordable framework conditions. The E.ON survey was conducted by the market research institute Civey and included 5,000 German adults aged 18 and older, including 2,500 drivers of non-electric passenger vehicles and 2,500 homeowners without heat pumps. The results are representative due to quota sampling and weighting, with a statistical margin of error ranging from 2.7 to 3.9 percentage points.