http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/

They are suporting a web page where energy consumption data can be seen, containing some data about dishwashers as well, see

http://www.topten.eu/english/household/dishwasher/built-in-2.html

and

http://www.topten.eu/english/household/dishwasher/freestanding-2.html

None listed there which can not be connected to the hot water system.

The very cheapest I came across recently – and which is not listed in the EU-topten list – is a counter model for 4 sets. It costs in Germany € 98.- at a larger supermarket chain ( REAL market, Tisch-Geschirrspueler GSP 7 ). It takes hot water up to 60 degrees Celsius.

I have just had an Infinity instantaneous hot water heater fitted in my house on which I can set a water output temperature of 60 degrees. So, I thought why not plumb a hot line to the dishwasher, run off the standing cold water prior to each wash and wait for the electric bills to go down (we fill the dishwasher twice each day, and always set it on economy). However, your correspondence has inspired me to research alternatives: can I not use a cold detergant and use a cold wash: An American product called AJAX apparently will do just that. The secret ingrediant is BLEACH!
All I need to do is to disable the heater and internal water temperature sensor in my Hotpoint machine and hey presto!
Article below which focused on the issue of bacteria which your articles have not considered :
In the study scientists washed dishes that had been covered with cheese, eggs, milk and jelly. They also smeared the plates with E. coli and other bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses. They washed one batch of dishes in hot, soapy water and found it killed off nearly all the germs. However, they got the same result when they washed the same bacteria-laden dishes using cool water and dish soap with bleach. Researchers also found that dishes washed in soapy room-temperature water, rinsed, and then weakly sanitized with ammonium-based chemicals achieved FDA-acceptable results.

http://www.bosch-home.co.uk/our-products/dishwashers/compact-dishwashers/compact-dishwashers/SKS60E02GB.html

Click onto “Technical specs” on the data sheet, look there under “Technical Characteristics”

As said, there are many more out there.

Warm/hot water removes more food debris and results in better cleaning compared to having to rewash dirty items either by hand or using the dishwasher again? In the latter case, it costs more than just electricity, when you take into account the cost of detergent, salt and rinse aid.

Warm or hot water removes food debris quickly. Next time you have strongly coloured sauce that will stain plastic items in the dishwasher, simply rinse the sauce away with hot water and you will see it comes off very quickly; try it with cold water and it takes much longer and uses more water. If your dishwasher is connected to the hot water supply, you could run the hot tap nearest the dishwasher for about 20 seconds until it feels warm; this does not waste water in the long run – it saves having to rewash dirty items. Also consider that during the winter months that the cold water from the street mains will be MUCH colder compared to hot water cooling down inside the copper pipes indoors.

Finally, the longevity of the dishwasher should be considered. If cold incoming water is not melting the grease and food debris, the dishwasher is more likely to break down much sooner. On the strength of Oliver’s messages above, I wish I had a hot water pipe behind my dishwasher. Although I don’t have any problems with its cleaning performance, I make sure I use Finish dishwasher cleaner regularly and check the filters, spray arms etc. I have noticed white grease around the bottom of the door seal – I don’t like the thought of this grease build-up being elsewhere in the working parts! I’m assuming that the best results from using a hot/warm water fill would be achieved by using a programme with a pre-rinse before the main wash, along with a good quality detergent like Fairy Platinum?