Which EV started 2025 on top in the Netherlands?
24 March 2025
As the Netherlands’ electric vehicle (EV) market continued to grow in January, one model stood out above its competitors. However, 2025 could mark a turning point for the country. Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus assesses the latest data.
The Netherlands is one of Europe’s leading EV markets, with leading volumes of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Its plug-in registrations can often exceed larger automotive markets, such as Italy and Spain.
According to data from EV Volumes, PHEV deliveries increased by 31% in the Netherlands during January. 5,661 new models equipped with the powertrain were delivered to customers. However, BEVs remained the most popular electric powertrain, more than doubling the PHEV total.
In January, 11,336 new all-electric vehicles were registered, up 38.5% year on year. This was despite the wider new-car market falling, as reported by local automotive body RAI Vereniging. This meant BEVs made up over a third of all new-car sales in the country.
BEV benefits in the Netherlands
In its 2024 EV market monitor, Dutch industry association BOVAG highlighted that demand has been driven by the business sector. Consumer confidence came under pressure as charging rates increased and home-infrastructure options failed to improve.
The country’s government expects BEV adoption to continue to grow in 2025 and 2026. However, subsidies and tax incentives will play a central role in the market’s development this year. These government schemes previously drove adoption, but the curtain closed on subsidies at the end of 2024.
The private motor vehicle tax, Belasting van Personenauto’s en Motorrijwielen (BPM), also changed this year. Based on the CO2 emissions, this levy is paid when a model is purchased or imported. All-electric cars were once exempt from this charge, but as of this year they will be charged €667.
Alongside this, electric cars currently get a 75% discount on the country’s motor vehicle tax (MRB). But between 2026 and 2029 this discount rate will drop to 25%.
Peter Niesink, the managing director of BOVAG called for ‘at least no extra BPM on top of the fixed base and a phased phasing-out of the additional taxable benefit discount, with no sudden changes.
‘BOVAG would also like to see the government’s taboo on purchase subsidies disappear. These subsidies for individuals cost the exchequer relatively little money and there is a strong positive psychological effect,’ he added.
So, the Netherlands could see its tax and subsidy incentives pulled back over the next couple of years. But which models will be able to weather this storm? EV Volumes’ figures from January 2025 already highlight one model’s success.
Kia EV3 takes the Netherlands by storm
Topping the BEV market, with 1,760 registrations, the Kia EV3 pulled far ahead of its competitors in January. Its performance made it not only the best-selling BEV but the most popular new car in the Netherlands by some distance.
The model first saw deliveries recorded in the country in October 2024. While initial numbers were small, the BEV managed to capture 15.5% of the all-electric market in the first month of 2025.
Over 1,000 units behind in second place was the Volvo EX30. Its 722 registrations equated to a 614.9% increase in deliveries as the model took a 6.4% market share. This was up from 1.2% in January 2024.
With 523 units registered, the Volkswagen (VW) ID.3 finished the month in third. Its market share climbed by 5.2 percentage points (pp) to 6.4%.
Telsa took fourth and fifth positions in the month’s table, with the Model Y and the Model 3 respectively. However, both models also saw year-on-year registration declines in the Netherlands.
The Tesla Model Y saw deliveries drop by 57.7% to 483 units. This meant its market share fell by 9.3pp to 4.3%. The Model 3 was not far off with 432 units taking to the country’s roads, down 5.7% on January 2024. Its hold on the market fell from 5.6% to 3.8%.
VW Group covers more ground
In total, VW Group claimed four of the top 10 spots in the Netherlands in January. The Audi Q4 e-tron finished the month in sixth with 362 registrations. This was up by 115.5% from the 168 units recorded at the beginning of 2024. It took 3.2% of the market, up 1.2pp.
Recording a decline of 65.7%, the Volvo EX40 saw 350 sales in January 2024. This meant its market share fell from 12.5% 12 months ago to 3.1% at the start of 2025. The Hyundai Inster came eighth with 330 deliveries. After only hitting the market in December 2024, the BEV claimed a market share of 2.9%.
The Audi Q6 e-tron was only one delivery behind in ninth with 329 units and 2.9% of the BEV market. However, its first registrations in the Netherlands were recorded in June 2024. The VW ID.4 came 10th with 293 registrations and a 2.6% hold on the market, up from 0.2% in January 2024.
Skoda gets up to speed
After arriving in the Netherlands in April 2024, the Skoda Kodiaq recorded 525 deliveries and a market share of 9.3%, leading the PHEV market in January. The Ford Kuga came in second with 460 registrations, up by 35.7% year on year. This meant the model represented 8.1% of all PHEV sales in the country, 0.3pp more than in January 2024.
The Volvo XC60 was only two units behind, finishing in third with 458 units, up by 92.4% year on year. Its share rose from 5.5% to 8.1%. Its sibling, the Volvo V60, finished in fourth with 254 units delivered, taking a share of 4.5%, up by 3.8pp.
The BMW 5-Series came fifth in the month with 227 units registered, claiming a 4% market share, up 3.2pp. Next in the table, the Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Golf both saw 200 registrations, claiming 3.5% of the market.
The Porsche Cayenne hit 175 deliveries on its way to eighth. This was up by 157.4% year on year, with a 3.1% share, up 1.5pp. The Mercedes-Benz GLC finished ninth with 165 deliveries, down by 18.3%, accounting for 2.9% of PHEV sales. This was a drop from 4.7% in January 2024.
Finally, the Skoda Octavia recorded 147 deliveries in 10th place. This was up 47% year on year, allowing it to take a market share of 2.6%, up 0.3pp.
