The Netherlands EV market showed a modest rise in April, but deeper data reveal a slowdown that could reshape the country’s shift to electric mobility.
April sales climb, yet BEV growth stalls
EV Volumes reports that 15,826 new electric vehicles were sold in the Netherlands in April, a 5.2% year‑on‑year increase from 15,040 units a year earlier. The growth was driven largely by plug‑in hybrids (PHEVs), which accounted for 6,198 of those sales, up 12.8%.
Battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) lagged behind, with only 9,628 units sold—a 0.9% rise over the same month in 2025. The first four months of 2026 saw 34,657 BEVs on the road, marking an 18.5% drop from the comparable period last year.
Overall EV registrations from January through April fell 3.1%, from 63,513 to 61,549, indicating that the April uptick did not offset a broader downturn.
Economic pressures and tax changes
Rising vehicle prices are a major factor. A joint report by RAI Vereniging and BOVAG notes that the average purchase price for new passenger cars rose to €50,110, reflecting the growing share of larger and electric models.
The fleet and company‑car segment, which traditionally drives Dutch car sales, is also feeling the impact of shifting leasing terms and tax reforms. Joanna Fabiszewska‑Solares, an analyst at EV Volumes, said, “For company cars, the reduced benefit‑in‑kind rate for BEVs remains supportive, especially given the importance of the fleet market in the Netherlands.”
However, the same analyst added that “BEVs continue to benefit from a reduced motor vehicle tax (MRB), but the advantage is being phased down until the full rate applies from 2030.” PHEVs have already lost most of their tax benefits and face the full MRB rate from 2025 onward.
These policy shifts have increased ownership costs, especially after the phase‑out of private EV subsidies and the removal of key tax incentives earlier this year.
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PHEV segment shows resilience
The Ford Kuga dominated PHEV sales in April with 448 units, a 44.1% year‑on‑year rise and a 7.2% market share. It maintained its lead through the first four months, outpacing the Skoda Kodiaq iV, which logged 1,679 cumulative sales despite a 23.5% drop in April.
The VW Tiguan fell 18.5% to 309 units, placing third in April, while the VW Tayron posted a 156.6% increase to 279 units, ranking fifth.
Chinese manufacturers are gaining ground. BYD’s Seal U achieved a 75.6% year‑on‑year increase with 230 units in April, lifting it to fourth place in the PHEV rankings. Its cumulative sales reached 1,060, accounting for 3.9% of the market. PHEV sales continue to expand despite tighter incentives.
Jaecoo’s J7, despite only 70 units sold in April, secured seventh place in the cumulative list with 906 units and a 3.4% share. The Omoda 9 also entered the scene, recording 226 sales over the first four months.
Policy response on the horizon
In response to the sluggish BEV uptake, the Dutch government is planning a scrappage scheme that would offer roughly €3,500 to low‑ and middle‑income buyers who trade in older internal‑combustion vehicles for used EVs. The program, expected to launch in late 2026, aims to boost affordability and accelerate the removal of higher‑emission cars.
Analysts caution that while the incentive could lift sales, it may not fully offset the structural challenges posed by higher purchase prices and the gradual phasing out of tax benefits.
For a broader view of European EV trends, see the automotive accessories overview.