Smart meters still largely unknown

11.09.2025

Source: E & M powernews

According to a You-Gov survey, more than half of Germans do not know what smart meters are. In the case of dynamic electricity tariffs, knowledge rises to half of respondents.

There will still be a lack of knowledge about smart meters in Germany in 2025. According to a recent survey conducted by the market research institute Yougov on behalf of the Smart Meter Initiative (SMI), 58% of respondents said they did not know what smart meters are. This is only two percentage points less than in the previous year, when 60 percent stated that they did not know the term.

The Smart Meter Initiative was founded in 2024 by the digital green energy providers Ostrom (Berlin), Tibber (Stockholm, German headquarters Berlin), Octopus Energy (London, German headquarters Munich) and Rabot Energy (Berlin). The aim is to promote the installation of smart metering systems in Germany. According to the initiative, meters are already standard in many European countries, while there are still considerable gaps in knowledge in Germany.

Knowledge is only growing slowly

One example: Only 27 percent of those familiar with smart meters knew in 2025 that the metering point operator is responsible for ordering them. In 2024, this figure was 22 percent. In contrast, almost half of those surveyed incorrectly named the electricity provider and 14% the landlord. "With around 860 different metering point operators, it is almost impossible for consumers to keep track," said Merlin Lauenburg, Head of Germany at Tibber.
Significantly more people are now aware of dynamic electricity tariffs than in the previous year. 50 percent of those surveyed said they knew what they were. In 2024, the proportion was 38 percent. Dynamic tariffs calculate electricity consumption by the hour according to the current electricity exchange price. Nevertheless, only just over half of respondents who said they knew the term were able to correctly explain how these tariffs work.

"The spread of smart meters in combination with dynamic electricity tariffs is essential for the success of the energy transition," said Jan Rabe, CEO of Rabot Energy. The German government has set the course with the mandatory rollout from 2025. However, there is a lack of information, affordability and availability.

Focus on customer benefits

There has been progress in terms of awareness of personal benefits: 41% of those surveyed who are aware of smart meters see a benefit for themselves. In 2024, the figure was 35%. Nevertheless, 32% still do not know what benefits the meters can have. 65% of respondents have not yet heard of negative electricity prices on the exchange.

According to data from the SMARD platform, the number of such hours is increasing. Last year, the exchange electricity price was in negative territory for 457 hours; by the beginning of September 2025, it had already been negative for 465 hours. Households with electric cars or heat pumps could benefit from this if they shift their consumption to favorable hours. "This would allow private households to benefit from low electricity prices across the board and relieve the strain on the grids at the same time," explained Rabe.

According to a study by Agora Energiewende, a four-person household with a heat pump, smart meter and dynamic tariff can save up to 600 euros per year in the long term. According to the survey, 42 percent of respondents who had heard of negative electricity prices or were unsure stated that they could personally benefit from them. In the previous year, the figure was 35 percent.

The survey was conducted between August 18 and 20, 2025. 2,002 people aged 18 and over were surveyed online. According to Yougov, the results are representative of the German resident population.

Author: Susanne Harmsen