The role of consumer finance in the energy and mobility transition

As the Commission works to sustain its green agenda, attention is shifting to a practical question: how will Member States and, ultimately, households pay for it? Public funds are limited, and policymakers are simultaneously confronting transport and mobility poverty alongside competitiveness pressure on European industry.

Through 2026, the Commission has moved to make its ambitions operational across several parallel workstreams, seeking to address both the needs of vulnerable consumers and the case for simpler, cheaper solutions for households. Growing emphasis is being placed on mobilising private capital alongside public support. Not only to raise investment in energy efficiency and clean technologies, but to keep the transition socially inclusive.

As President Von der Leyen reiterated in April, meeting Europe's energy and climate objectives will require significant household investment in building renovation, heat pumps, solar energy and electric vehicles. The scale of the challenge is substantial, with an annual investment gap estimated at around €150 billion.

That is reflected in growing policy interest in social leasing and other targeted financing schemes for vulnerable households. Initially focused on mobility, attention is now widening to home energy renovations and affordable, sustainable heating solutions.

These developments connect directly to the European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition, where Eurofinas participates alongside the Commission, the European Investment Bank and other stakeholders. The Coalition is exploring how public and private finance can be combined more effectively to raise investment while keeping financing accessible to households. 

Consumer finance is central to both Europe's competitiveness and the social dimension of the energy transition. Eurofinas will continue bringing members' expertise to these discussions as the Commission develops its next generation of financing initiatives.