The Kia EV3 emerged as the best-selling car across all powertrains in the Netherlands in January, leading a significant rise in electric vehicle (EV) registrations, according to data from the RAI Association, BOVAG, and RDC.
The South Korean automaker registered 1,757 units of the EV3 last month, securing a 5.4% market share—meaning one in every 20 new cars on Dutch roads was a Kia EV3. The model outpaced all other competitors in a market where one-third (34%) of all newly registered vehicles were battery-electric.
Despite a 4.6% decline in overall passenger car registrations compared to January 2024, the number of new EVs rose 28% year-over-year to 11,157 units. Hybrid vehicles led with a 45.5% market share (14,934 registrations), followed by battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and petrol cars, which accounted for 19.5% of the market. Diesel (0.8%) and LPG (0.2%) registrations remained marginal.
Following the Kia EV3, the most-registered models in January were the Kia Picanto (855 units, 2.6% market share), Peugeot 208 (777 units, 2.4%), Volvo EX30 (724 units, 2.2%), and VW Polo (696 units, 2.1%).
Among BEVs, the Kia EV3 dominated with a 15.7% market share, significantly ahead of the Volvo EX30 (724 units, 6.5%), VW ID.3 (523 units, 4.7%), Tesla Model Y (482 units, 4.3%), and Tesla Model 3 (432 units, 3.9%).
