01
Electric overtakes combustion in Dutch new-car sales
In 2025, more new electric cars than combustion cars were sold in the Netherlands for the first time. EVs accounted for 41% of sales, while new diesels fell to 0.1%. The choice expanded from 90 electric models in 2022 to 179 in 2025, and charging points increased by 20% to 1.2 million. Meanwhile, EV exports rose by 73%. Five-year-old cars were especially likely to leave, often when lease contracts ended.
The new-car tipping point does not guarantee a plentiful supply of used EVs for Dutch buyers. Just as former lease cars become more affordable, the domestic market must compete with buyers abroad. For consumers, the development of the second-hand market is therefore becoming as important as growth in new EV sales.
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency, content checked 2 October 2026