In November last year, the resources allocated for grants to acquire new electric vehicles (EVs) in the Netherlands were depleted, while in December the last euro of the budget earmarked for the financing of used cars was consumed.
According to sources consulted by Mobility Portal Europe, the introduction of new subsidies was not foreseen.
Now, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) officially confirms: “The fund will not be available again this year.”
The RVO emphasises that this decision is due to the fact that the programme fulfilled its initial purpose: “Encouraging more car owners to switch to EVs.”
“The availability of the fund created a buzz and awareness around electric cars,” it elaborates.
It is worth noting that, according to the RVO, there were more subsidy applications for new private EVs than the budget could accommodate in 2024.
As a result, requests will be processed in the order in which they are received and, if necessary, additional resources will be released in the event of any rejections.
If the budget is still insufficient, a lottery will be held among the applications received on the day when more submissions arrived than the fund could cover.
So far, the announcement has had tangible effects on sales figures.
In December 2024, 37,087 EVs were registered, a 40.3% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
This behaviour reflects an anticipated trend: consumers hasten their purchases to take advantage of the last available benefits before the policy change.
Michel Bayings, consultant at Emobility Consulting, explains:
“Whenever subsidies are reduced, an increase in sales is observed just before, followed by a decrease in the first few months after.”
What about the road tax for EVs?
The Ministry of Infrastructure points out in its Action Agenda for the Automobile that the transition towards a more balanced tax system is crucial to ensure the sustainable growth of the sector.
Previously, electric vehicles were exempt from the road tax (MRB), but from 1 January 2025, a reduced rate of 25% of the normal tax was introduced, with the exemption ending on 1 January 2026.
Bayings warns that the mass of batteries could become a challenge: “The MRB, which is based on the vehicle’s weight, will make electric cars less competitive compared to other options.”
To prevent the growth of zero-emission vehicles from stagnating, the administration decided to apply a 25% discount to both the national and provincial portions of the MRB until 2029.
“This initiative aims to keep the purchase of electric vehicles, both new and second-hand, economically attractive,” they state.
In the spring of 2025, the government will review whether the discount remains sufficient.
How will the transition continue in the Netherlands without subsidies?
The removal of subsidies does not mark the end of electromobility policy in the country.
The government, in collaboration with the private sector, is working on solutions such as smart charging, battery storage, and the expansion of infrastructure.
The country committed, under the Climate Agreement and the Climate Act, to moving towards a sustainable, healthy, and safe living environment by 2050, with zero CO2 emissions.
As part of this, it is working to achieve a 55% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
The specific target for the mobility sector is to reduce pollutants by 37% compared to 1990 levels.
There is also a focus on autonomous driving.
In what way? By developing political and legal frameworks for automated transport trials on public roads.
The aim is to allow and adapt it intelligently to the mobility system.
The proposed legislative amendment will be sent to Parliament this year, and a system of automated driving is expected to be ready for market introduction by 2027.
At the same time, it is important to note that the transition to used EVs is seen as a viable strategy to maintain economic accessibility in the absence of subsidies.
Models like the Tesla Model 3, from corporate leasing, are already available on the secondary market, priced between 10,000 and 20,000 euros, according to Bayings.
This could partially balance the potential decline in new vehicle sales, ensuring continued growth in the electric fleet.
