But are they more powerful? AFAIK it's pretty common for a European range to be in the 7000-10000 watt range. That's also normal in the US on single phase 240

But are they more powerful? AFAIK it's pretty common for a European range to be in the 7000-10000 watt range. That's also normal in the US on single phase 240V. And I can go buy a 36000 watt tankless water heater from Home Depot. I think it's a wash, either system can deliver however much power you need. The reason for gas in the US is because people like it. It's been seen as upscale for decades to have a gas cooktop. It also helps that gas water heaters don't require electricity and work in an outage. Our residential natural gas distribution network is extensive and reliable, and it's pretty straightforward to use the same appliances on propane for people out in the sticks.