Support for energy-efficient appliance purchases is boosting the market: more than 190,000 additional units sold, with positive effects on the environment and European manufacturing. Industry leaders are now calling for the scheme to be extended.
Italy’s appliance bonus scheme is proving to be one of the key drivers behind the sector’s recovery. During the first six months of the incentive program, the market experienced significant momentum, with rising sales and renewed consumer interest in energy-efficient household appliances.
According to an analysis by Applia Italia, the association representing household appliance manufacturers, the total value of sales between November 2025 and April 2026 increased by €152.8 million, marking a 6.9% rise compared with the same period a year earlier.
Among the product categories benefiting the most from the incentive were washing machines, with more than 74,000 replacements, followed by ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, and electric cooktops. These figures highlight a strong willingness among Italian households to upgrade their appliance stock, which is often made up of outdated and less energy-efficient products.
Consumer interest has remained high since the launch of the initiative. Since last November, more than 1.1 million voucher applications have been submitted. Of these, around 250,000 resulted in actual purchases, with 80% completed through physical retail stores. The total value of redeemed vouchers exceeded €35 million, out of an initial budget allocation of €50 million.
The scheme has also delivered important social benefits. Nearly 60% of the incentives were granted to households with an ISEE income indicator below €25,000, helping lower-income families gain access to more advanced technologies while reducing energy consumption.
Energy savings and recycling benefits
The environmental impact of the program has been equally significant. Replacing older, energy-intensive appliances with new-generation models is estimated to generate annual energy savings of more than 57 GWh.
In addition, the mandatory take-back and scrappage requirement linked to new purchases enabled the collection of over 11,400 tonnes of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), increasing the volume of products entering official recycling and recovery channels.
The incentive has also had a positive effect on European manufacturing. Eligibility for the bonus was restricted exclusively to appliances produced within the European Union, directing demand toward regional supply chains. Of the 7,835 models qualifying for the scheme, more than half were manufactured in Italy.
For the industry, this represents an important signal during a challenging period for the domestic appliance sector. According to Applia Italia, approximately one out of every three subsidized purchases involved products manufactured in Italian facilities, and the program has exceeded expectations.
Originally introduced to promote energy efficiency and improve WEEE collection and management, the measure has also demonstrated tangible industrial benefits by supporting European production and unlocking long-standing demand for technological replacement and upgrades.
In light of these results, Applia Italia is now advocating renewed funding for the scheme, along with additional support measures to protect a sector that has faced growing competition from non-European imports in recent years.
The appliance and consumer electronics industry will gather once again at the next edition of Applitech, the only trade fair of its kind in Europe, scheduled to take place at BolognaFiere from November 10 to 12, 2027. The event will feature an extensive conference program and serve as a key meeting point for manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and industry stakeholders.