Road transport in the Netherlands has become much cleaner since 2010, according to the latest edition of Mobility in Figures Cars by RAI Association and BOVAG. Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM10) in particular have fallen sharply, by almost 36 and 50 percent respectively. In order to further reduce CO2 emissions in line with the emission of harmful substances and to achieve the European climate goals, it is important that the next Cabinet opts for a revision of our car tax system and focuses on a broadly coherent package of measures.

As a result of the stricter European emission requirements and continuous innovations in combustion engines and electric transport, much progress has been made over the past decade in reducing the emission of harmful substances. With more than 60 billion euros per year, the automotive industry is therefore the largest investor in research and innovation in Europe. Mobility in Figures shows on the basis of PBL data (Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving) that in 2019 NOx emissions from total road transport were 36 percent lower than in 2010. The decrease in NOx emissions from all sources together amounted to 20 percent in that period. . Road transport also emitted a 2019 percent less particulate matter in 50, while all sources together realized a decrease of 23,1 percent.

Particulate matter from cars nil
At a detailed level, figures up to and including 2018 are available and show that nitrogen oxide emissions from passenger cars have fallen by 11,3 percent and those from trucks by 52,2 percent. PM10 emissions decreased by no less than 81,3 percent for passenger cars and 78,6 percent for trucks, excluding emissions due to (tyre) wear. Total CO2 emissions from road traffic in the Netherlands have fallen by 2010 percent since 4,2, but the number of passenger cars, commercial vehicles and motorized two-wheelers was approximately 2018 percent higher at the end of 10.

Although the total fleet of passenger cars in the Netherlands is relatively old with an average of 11 years, the newly purchased cars have been very economical or fully electric for many years, partly thanks to the development of (plug-in) hybrid engines. As a result, the Netherlands is now the only one in the EU to achieve average CO2 emissions per new car of less than 90 grams per kilometre. Following the example of passenger cars, the imminent introduction of zero-emission zones for city logistics will also further reduce emissions from light and heavy commercial vehicles. Thanks to these developments, the mobile fleet will be slowly replaced in the coming years, so that, following the emission of harmful substances, the total CO2 emissions will also fall further.

car tax plan
However, BOVAG and the RAI Association emphasize that the climate targets for passenger cars can only be achieved if a broad and coherent package of measures is chosen. A package that, in addition to electric driving, also focuses on alternative clean and efficient combustion engines, alternative fuels, behavioral change and major investments in a robust charging network for both battery-electric driving and driving on hydrogen. Dot on the horizon is the introduction of a system of payment according to use by 2030, in which the kilometer price will depend on the environmental characteristics of a vehicle. The RAI Association, BOVAG, ANWB, VNA and Natuur en Milieu presented an alternative plan in the spring of 2021.

About Mobility in Figures Cars
Mobility in Numbers Cars it is reference book for anyone looking for facts and figures about the development of the passenger car, van and truck market. In addition to extensive data on making vehicles more sustainable, the reference work also contains background information on the tax significance, the economic development of the sector and the development of traffic jams and infrastructure in the Netherlands. According to the Royal RAI Association.

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Road transport in the Netherlands has become much cleaner since 2010.