Changes to the Electricity Tax Act and other regulations

In the Bundestag, a bill from the Alliance 90/The Greens parliamentary group was rejected, which envisages a fundamental reduction in electricity taxes. The aim of the draft is to relieve consumers in the face of increased energy prices and at the same time create incentives for greater use of electricity instead of fossil fuels. Specifically, the draft law proposes to reduce electricity tax for everyone to the minimum permitted under European law. This is 1 euro per megawatt hour for private households and 50 cents for business use. The reduction should be permanent and affect all consumer groups equally. A central goal is to provide social relief, especially for low-income households, which are particularly affected by rising energy prices. At the same time, the measure is intended to promote the electrification of areas such as heat and mobility and thus reduce dependence on fossil fuels in the long term. In addition, the draft proposes to delete numerous existing exceptions and tax reductions in electricity tax law. This is intended to simplify the system and reduce bureaucracy. The annual shortfall in revenue for the state is estimated at around 6 billion euros, which should benefit consumers accordingly. The Green Party's bill was rejected with 310 votes against. 270 MPs voted yes, there were no abstentions.