The challenges facing the Netherlands’ sluggish EV market
19 June 2026
New electric vehicle (EV) sales in the Netherlands grew year on year in April. However, while plug-in-hybrids (PHEVs) proved popular, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) sales struggled. Autovista24 content specialist James Roberts reports on a market facing challenges in 2026.
In April, a total of 15,826 new EVs, made up of BEVs and PHEVs, were sold in the Netherlands, according to the latest data from EV Volumes. This marked a 5.2% year-on-year increase, up from 15,040 units 12 months prior.
Despite this apparently positive trend, the country’s EV powertrain breakdown unearthed a stagnant marketplace. Between January and April, a total of 61,549 new EVs were sold in the Netherlands. This was down 3.1%, compared with the 63,513 sales recorded in the same period last year.
Sluggish BEV demand
Across Europe, many larger markets have seen a significant increase in BEV deliveries. In the Netherlands, however, April’s year-on-year improvement amounted to just 0.9%. This was achieved with 9,628 new sales, according to EV Volumes.
The first four months of the year confirmed the weakness of the country’s BEV market. In this period, 34,657 new all-electric models made their way onto the road, an 18.5% year-on-year slide.
Despite a smaller volume, PHEV sales rose 12.8% year on year in April. In total, 6,198 units were delivered, up from the 5,495 12 months prior. Four months into 2026, PHEV volumes were up year on year. A total of 26,892 sales provided a 28.1% lift.
Dutch EV drop part of bigger picture
The Netherlands’ wider new passenger car market is being impacted by broader economic factors. This includes rising new vehicle costs, as revealed by RAI Vereniging and BOVAG in their 2025 to 2026 report. They state that: ‘the average purchase price has risen to €50,110 due to the rise of larger and electric models.’
The market is also influenced by its fleet and company car channel, which accounts for a sizeable share of sales. Therefore, leasing dynamics and changes in taxation have a considerable impact on market behaviour compared with some other European markets.
‘For company cars, the reduced benefit-in-kind rate for BEVs remains supportive, especially given the importance of the fleet market in the Netherlands,’ stated Joanna Fabiszewska-Solares, market analyst at EV Volumes.
Across the first four months of 2026, BEV sales were down year on year in the Netherlands. This followed the phasing out of private EV subsidies, coupled with the removal of key tax incentives. This has increased EV ownership costs. Meanwhile, a pull forward of demand into late 2025, exacerbated by expiring tax benefits, weakened the base comparison in 2026.
‘From an EV perspective, BEVs continue to benefit from a reduced motor vehicle tax (MRB),’ added Fabiszewska-Solares. ‘Although the advantage is gradually being phased down until the full rate applies from 2030. PHEVs have already lost most of their tax benefits and are subject to the full MRB rate from 2025 onwards.’
In April, electrive reported on Dutch government plans to introduce a scrappage scheme. It looks to offer around €3,500 to low and middleincome buyers of used EVs who trade in older internal-combustion engine vehicles. Expected to launch in late 2026, the measure aims to boost EV uptake and affordability while accelerating the removal of higheremission cars.
Skoda on top in April
A total of 690 sales slotted the Skoda Elroq at the top of April’s best-selling BEV chart. This was the best result of 2026 so far for a model which led the Netherlands’ BEV market in 2025. It landed above the second-place Kia EV3, which also posted a volume high for the year with 527 sales.
Indicative of the Netherlands’ wider BEV market, both models witnessed year-on-year volume and market share declines in April.
The Elroq experienced a volume drop of 18.2% in the month. This eroded its overall monthly market share to 7.2%, down 1.6 percentage points (pp). Similarly, the EV3 witnessed a 39.6% slide in volumes. In turn, this resulted in a 5.5% share of the BEV market, falling 3.6pp.
Despite this stutter in April, both models sat well in the cumulative BEV top 10. Between January and April, the Elroq moved 1,687 units, placing it third with a 4.9% market share. The EV3 matched this market share, albeit with 1,705 sales, pipping the Czech car to second place.
Tesla leading the EV market
The Tesla Model Y ended 2025 as the third most popular BEV in the Netherlands, behind the Elroq and EV3. In April 2026, it saw 357 sales, taking fifth. However, more telling was its cumulative place in the rankings.
Between January and April, the US model shifted 1,979 units. This put it at the top of the all-electric sales charts with a 5.7% market share. It was joined in the cumulative top 10 by the Tesla Model 3, which sat sixth after four months of the year, tallying 1,111 sales.
Best of the rest
Market newcomer, the Toyota C-HR+ emerged as the Netherlands’ third best-selling BEV in April. In its third month recording deliveries, the compact SUV reached 390 sales, emerging as a potential disruptor.
The Volvo EX40’s pan-European appeal was reflected in the Netherlands. A 57.2% year-on-year volume lift equated to 360 units and a 3.7% market share, up 1.3pp. The Swedish BEV claimed seventh in the cumulative rankings, ahead of the Volvo EX30.
The combined total of the Renault 5 and Alpine A290 took seventh in April. Despite a 17.1% year-on-year drop, it continued a 17th consecutive month of triple-digit sales volumes. Four months into 2026, it took fourth with 1,267 units and a 3.7% market share.
April saw the Hyundai Inster claim eighth with 278 sales, followed by the Audi Q4 e-tron with 234 units. The latter underwent a 20.9% year-on-year drop in deliveries, whereas the Volkswagen (VW) ID.3 saw a 175.3% upswing to 223 sales, taking 10th.
Ford forges ahead with PHEV
The Ford Kuga led the Dutch new PHEV market in April. The venerable PHEV saw a 44.1% year-on-year volume increase in the month, its 448 sales carving out a 7.2% market share, up 1.5pp.
As a result, the Kuga was the best-selling PHEV after four months of 2026. It stayed ahead of the second-place Skoda Kodiaq iV. The Czech model chalked up 1,679 sales between January and April, despite a 23.5% drop in deliveries during April.
The VW Tiguan also underwent a double-digit year-on-year sales slide in the month. Its 309 sales were down by 18.5%, putting it third in April. It took the same position in the cumulative table, with 1,126 units and a 4.2% market share.
While one VW PHEV struggled in April, another made waves. The VW Tayron managed 279 sales with a 156.6% year-on-year uplift, putting it in fifth. It was followed by the Audi Q3 in sixth.
PHEV market newcomers make impact
In unison with many European PHEV markets, offerings from Chinese carmakers are emerging as major players in the Dutch sector. After four months of 2026, both BYD and Jaecoo models ranked higher than BMW and Mercedes-Benz PHEVs in the Netherlands.
April saw a monthly high for the BYD Seal U. Its 230 units marked a 75.6% year-on-year unit upswing. More significantly, it resulted in the mid-sized SUV claiming fourth in the Dutch PHEV rankings after four months of the year. Cumulative sales hit 1,060, ensuring a 3.9% market share.
Meanwhile, despite only moving 70 sales in April, the Jaecoo J7 ended up seventh in the cumulative order. It saw 906 sales and a 3.4% market share. Omoda is also starting to gain a presence in the Netherlands’ PHEV market. Four months into the year, the Omoda 9 saw 226 sales
