The Netherlands witnessed a notable surge in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in 2023, with electric cars constituting approximately 31% of new car registrations, according to official data from the RAI Association, BOVAG, and management consultancy RDC. When considering hybrid vehicles, the combined market share of electrified drive systems surpassed two-thirds of total car sales, marking a significant shift in consumer preferences.
Pure electric cars captured a market share of 30.8%, representing a 7.5% increase from 2022, while hybrids, without distinguishing between plug-in and full hybrids, achieved a market share of 37.1%. In comparison, pure petrol cars and electric vehicles both held a 30.4% share, while diesel cars constituted a mere 1.1% of new car registrations in 2023.
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The total Dutch passenger car market experienced a 19% growth to reach 369,791 units in 2023. Despite a dip in December with 26,577 new registrations (-14% YoY), the overall market expansion was attributed to a catch-up effect from delayed deliveries in 2022. The RAI Association and BOVAG acknowledged a normalization of the market towards the end of the year.
The Netherlands’ growing affinity for electric mobility is attributed, in part, to subsidies and tax incentives, with the current incentives set to expire in 2025. The incentives have played a pivotal role in the country’s remarkable increase in all-electric car adoption.
While Volkswagen emerged as the most registered brand in 2023, the Tesla Model Y secured the title of the best-selling model across all drive types. Volkswagen led with 34,958 registrations and a market share of 9.5%, followed closely by Kia with 33,504 registrations (9.1%). The Tesla Model Y, with 13,758 registrations and a 3.7% market share, outperformed other models in the electric-specific market.
As the Netherlands continues to demonstrate a growing preference for electric and hybrid vehicles, industry analysts are closely monitoring the potential impact of evolving government policies and market dynamics on future adoption trends.