Funny, one of the things I heard a couple of days ago is that the EU commission has just outlawed the most ubiquitous type of electric teapot used in the UK (for environmental reasons). One would think if someone got between the Brits and their tea, they would have their own version of the Boston Tea Party going. Americans might say, "Now you know how we felt." :)
Roughly speaking, due to the 240V thing, a UK kettle could be approximately twice as powerful as a US one. As a result, think of a tea/coffee machine that can be ready to brew in less than half the time.
The problem I have with it is that I think that for such devices reducing the power it can draw will actually result in MORE energy being used - because as it heats, more heat is lost to the environment, which means you have to replace it. The longer it takes to boil(for tea), the more energy it will use. Maybe have them put a timer or a thermostat on it, but making it take longer also means people are more likely to leave it alone while they do something else, which again means maintaining the heat longer as they take longer to get back to it. Summary: They're being as stupid as the EPA is about gas cans.
Also, you'll see them going to US style - using the relatively inefficient but higher burners on the stove to get boiling water faster.
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