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The Netherlands has reached a major electric mobility milestone: over one million plug-in vehicles are now on the road. This marks a significant shift in how Dutch households and businesses embrace cleaner transport. But how does the country’s progress stack up against the rest of Europe – and the world?

Geplaatst op 05 juni 2025

A Dutch milestone
As of April 1, 2025, the Netherlands has surpassed the symbolic milestone of 1 million plug-in vehicles on the road. According to the latest data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), more than 1 in 10 passenger cars is now powered (at least in part) by electricity. This milestone is a clear signal: the Dutch electric mobility transition is gaining mainstream momentum.

From corporate fleets to households
EV adoption in the Netherlands has accelerated rapidly. In January 2019, there were just 139,000 plug-in vehicles (fully electric + plug-in hybrids). By early 2024, that number had already reached 945,000 – a year-on-year increase of over 33%.

Most of these are battery electric vehicles (BEVs) (594,000), with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also maintaining a significant presence (410,000). Notably, for the first time, more EVs are privately owned (503,000) than in corporate fleets (442,000). This shift is an indicator that electric driving is no longer niche or incentive-driven, but broadly accepted by consumers.

Europe: how does the Netherlands compare?
In the broader European context, the Netherlands ranks among the front-runners. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), countries with the highest BEV penetration as of January 2025 include:

  • Norway – 24% of all passenger cars
  • Iceland – around 14%
  • Netherlands – 6.4% (594,000 of 9.3 million)
  • Sweden – 5.9%
  • Germany – 4.7%
  • France – 3.9%
  • EU average – around 2.6%

While Norway leads in market share due to strong tax benefits and toll exemptions, the Netherlands excels in absolute numbers, dense charging infrastructure, and grid integration – making it a reference case for EV implementation in urban and suburban settings alike.

Global context: China and the United States

China remains the undisputed leader in EV adoption. By the end of 2024, over 20 million electric vehicles were on Chinese roads, mostly BEVs. Sales exceeded 8 million in a single year – more than 30% of new car registrations – driven by strong domestic brands like BYD, NIO, and XPeng, and backed by national and regional policies, infrastructure, and industrial scale.

The United States, meanwhile, had approximately 4.5 million EVs on the road by late 2024, with BEVs making up around 80%. Sales hit a record 1.4 million units in 2024, about 9.4% of all new cars sold. Market players such as Tesla, Ford, GM, Rivian, and international brands are expanding their EV portfolios. The Inflation Reduction Act continues to stimulate manufacturing and infrastructure through billions in incentives.
However, political uncertainty surrounding the 2024 elections casts doubt on the continuity of federal support programs, potentially influencing the pace of EV growth in coming years.

Forward outlook: opportunities and barriers

The outlook for electric mobility in the Netherlands – and Europe at large – remains strong. Stricter EU regulations on CO₂ emissions are driving innovation, while charging networks become faster, smarter, and more widespread. The range of available EVs is expanding, from affordable city cars to high-end SUVs.

Yet, challenges remain:

  • Grid congestion and limited capacity in certain regions
  • Need for faster rollout of public charging infrastructure, especially in high-density urban areas
  • Equitable access for people without private driveways
  • Cost of ownership, especially as subsidies are phased out

Policymakers, industry leaders, and infrastructure operators will need to collaborate to address these hurdles and keep the transition inclusive and resilient.

PS: Dutch presence at EVS38 – Gothenburg, June 2025
From 15–18 June 2025, Gothenburg will host EVS38, the world’s leading electric mobility symposium. Key themes include grid integration, battery reuse, and the urban role in the EV transition. The Netherlands will be represented through a Dutch Pavilion, coordinated by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) in collaboration with the Embassy of the Netherlands in Sweden. Participants include leading Dutch companies, start-ups, and knowledge institutes active in smart mobility and charging infrastructure. More info: Nederlands Paviljoen op het Electric Vehicle Symposium 38 | RVO.nl

Sources

This article is based on publicly available data and reports. All rights to the cited sources remain with their respective publishers and organizations.