By Casper Veenman

Strong EV adoption and a high ratio of charge points make the Netherlands a leading e-mobility nation. But it has very few DC chargers and must rapidly expand its fast-charge network. Meanwhile, interest in charging for commercial vehicles is beginning to grow due to regulations on urban emissions.

What are the current key trends within e-mobility in the Netherlands?

The Dutch government was an early advocate of e-mobility. While tax incentives for EV purchases have become less generous, they are still important in making EVs more financially attractive for consumers. Widespread introduction of low- and zero-emission zones in city centers are also beginning to incentivize the use of EVs for commercial transport. In addition, many companies now only offer EVs to their employees. The country also has a geographic advantage, thanks to its compact size and relatively short driving distances. Currently, the Netherlands has an EV sales penetration rate of 37% – more than double the global average of 18%. By 2030, it aims to only sell emission-free vehicles.

What’s the current state of the charging infrastructure?

The Netherlands already has a dense network of both public and private charging stations. The vehicle-to-point ratio for public chargers is 4.2, compared to a global average of 15.9. The growth rate in public charging points reached 24% in the second half of 2022, up from 21% in the first six months.

For home charging the vehicle-to-point ratio is 1.5 compared to a global average of 3.4. In most Dutch cities and municipalities, it is still possible to request a public charge port near your place of residence or work free of charge.

Where the country still has work to do is the prevalence of fast-charging stations: just 3% of Dutch public charge points are DC, versus a global average of 22%. Providers such as Fastned and Allego are now increasingly focusing on 300 kW charging stations to meet growing demand for fast charging.

Are there any interesting innovations happening in the EV and charging sectors?

The first battery swapping station, from Nio, opened in December 2022, with more expected to follow. We also expect a growing interest in charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles. LEAP24 and Milence, two Dutch companies, are already taking initial steps in this direction.

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