- As the Strait of Hormuz crisis passes the 100-day mark, new YouGov polling finds that over 6 in 10 (64%) Europeans believe reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels makes Europe safer – when averaged across five countries surveyed.
- Commissioning organisations E3G, Transport & Environment, and the Electrification Alliance publish joint analysis of poll results.
- Centre-right voices among the most supportive groups in their countries for clean electrification measures – including in Germany, Italy, and France.
- European leaders must rise to the moment and seize this public mandate. The EU Electrification Action Plan is a key opportunity.
Story
New polling data across five major European countries shows strong support for electrification and clean energy investment. These views cut across traditional left-right political divides. Over 6 in 10 (64%) believe that reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels makes Europe safer, when averaged across five countries surveyed. 8 out of 10 Europeans surveyed say that European countries should be working together, of which six say that cooperation has become more important in the current geopolitical context. At time of publication, the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has continued for over 100 days.
The commissioning organisations have today published a joint briefing with highlights from the data, including 70% support for EU EV funding among CDU/CSU voters in Germany, 76% heat pump backing among Fratelli d’Italia voters in Italy, and almost equally high support for heat pumps among Macron (69%) and Le Pen (67%) voters in France. The full data set is available on the YouGov website and is linked below.
While the current energy crisis has propelled energy security to the top of the political agenda, the consensus demonstrated in this polling shows that policymakers can take action to reduce fossil fuel dependence with confidence that the public is with them.
Quotes
Responding to these results, commissioning organisations E3G, Transport & Environment, and the Electrification Alliance have called for EU and national policymakers to accelerate electrification, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and increase energy cooperation.
Manon Dufour, Executive Director, E3G, said:
“Across five countries and across the political spectrum, voters are sending a remarkably consistent message: reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. They do not see it as an environmental issue alone; they see it as a question of security. For Europe’s leaders, it opens the door to make electrification a mainstream, non-partisan, European project.”
Antony Froggatt, Senior Director, Transport & Environment, said:
“Electrification is the single most effective way of making Europe more energy secure. Governments should deliver support for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure to end European drivers’ exposure to volatile oil prices. There has never been a more critical moment for European leaders to outline a bold electrification strategy.”
Adrian Hiel, Director, Electrification Alliance, said:
“Every time someone fires up a gas boiler, money leaves Europe. Europeans know that, and this polling shows they are ready to stop it. Heat pumps are not a climate ask, they are an energy security measure with strong public support in every country surveyed. The Commission and Member States should treat them accordingly.” Adrian Hiel, Director of the Electrification Alliance.
Methodology
This polling was jointly commissioned by E3G, Transport & Environment and the Electrification Alliance and was conducted by YouGov as part of the YouGov European Political Monthly (EPM) survey. It was designed to test public attitudes on clean energy solutions and security at a moment of heightened concern following the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 5,149 adults (1,009 in France, 1095 in Germany, 1035 in Spain, 1003 in Italy, 1007 in Poland). Fieldwork was undertaken between 6th – 18th May 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted per country and are representative of all adults in each of the five countries polled (aged 18+).
YouGov Data Links
Press Contacts
E3G | Kelly McGlynn
kelly.mcglynn@e3g.org | +32 494 12 88 22
Transport & Environment | Paul Bell
paul.bell@transportenvironment.org | +32 489 705315
Electrification Alliance | Leoni Schmitz
l.schmitz@electrification-alliance.eu | +32 483 40 45 75
Note to the editor
E3G is an independent think tank working to deliver a safe climate for all. We drive systemic action on climate by identifying barriers and constructing coalitions to advance the solutions needed. We create spaces for honest dialogue, and help guide governments, businesses and the public on how to deliver change at the pace the planet demands. More information is available at www.e3g.org.
Transport & Environment (T&E) is Europe’s leading advocate for an accelerated transition for clean transport and energy. Its vision for the coming years is to deliver a zero-emission transport and energy system that is affordable, circular, and has minimal impacts on our health and the environment. https://www.transportenvironment.org/
The Electrification Alliance is a coalition of leading associations who believe that electricity is the key energy carrier for an efficient, decarbonised, and cost-effective European future. The alliance brings together experts from renewable energy, transport, heating, grid infrastructure, and electrification technologies, united by a shared vision: a future where electricity drives Europe’s energy system, reducing emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and ensuring affordable power for all. For more information: electrification-alliance.eu
