A number of major steps still need to be taken. Consider the power grid, the charging capacity and the technical limitations of the car itself.
The Dutch car market is on the eve of a transformation, with expectations pointing to an increase in the number of second-hand electric cars. This phenomenon, driven by a mix of regulations, consumer behavior and innovative sales strategies, promises to fundamentally change the way Dutch people think and act about mobility.
The Netherlands, traditionally a country of used car buyers, is seeing a steady shift towards more sustainable means of transport. According to recent research NOS expects a striking increase in the supply of second-hand electric vehicles this year. This is accompanied by a drop in prices, a development that could encourage potential buyers to make the switch to electric driving.
This shift is partly made possible by European regulations that stipulate that from 2035 only vehicles without a combustion engine may be sold. An additional factor is the expiration of the first large wave of lease contracts for electric cars in the Netherlands, a country where approximately one in nine cars is a lease car.
At the same time, the findings of a study by the Flemish news channel VRT NWS and the research institution VITO/Energyville on a discrepancy. Many of the expiring lease contracts for electric cars do not lead to a greening of the Dutch second-hand car market, but rather to exports to countries such as Norway, where significant subsidies for electric cars are available. This phenomenon is reinforced by specific benefits such as the use of bus lanes and preferential parking systems in urban areas.
In the Netherlands, rental and leasing companies have been working on greening their fleet for some time. The NOS asked the leasing companies LeasePlan, Volkswagen Pon Financial Services and Alphabet and the car rental companies Sixt, Hertz and Enterprise about these developments. Only Volkswagen Pon did not want to respond to questions.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk's company Tesla plays a unique role in this transition. By controlling the entire chain from production to sales and regularly lowering the prices of popular models such as the Model Y and Model 3, Tesla has a significant impact on the market. While this is good news for potential buyers, recent Tesla owners are experiencing a sudden devaluation of their vehicle.
These developments indicate a dynamic time for the Dutch automotive market, with the transition to electric vehicles being accelerated by both market-driven initiatives and government policy. Although the export of lease cars abroad may slow down the domestic greening of the car market, the growing availability of affordable second-hand cars does.
