Netherlands Hits 2 Million Electric Vehicles, with 86% of New Car Sales Now Electric

As of early 2026, the total number of passenger cars in the Netherlands stood at approximately 9.4 million, an increase of nearly 2% compared to a year earlier, with virtually all newly added vehicles being electrified models. The number of cars powered fully or partially by electricity nationwide has surpassed 2 million, up nearly 6% year-on-year, accounting for roughly one-fifth of the total vehicle fleet. Among these, non-plug-in hybrid vehicles reached 800,000 units, a 19% year-on-year increase; battery electric vehicles (BEVs) approached 700,000 units, growing by 22%; and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) totaled around 520,000 units, surging by nearly 40%—making PHEVs one of the fastest-growing segments in the market. In terms of new car sales, the share of newly registered vehicles equipped with electric motors rose sharply from 11.5% in 2018 to nearly 86% in 2025. Over the same period, the share of new gasoline-powered cars dropped from 75% to 13%, while diesel vehicles fell to just 1%. The public transportation sector has also accelerated its electrification: by 2025, over 70% of buses were electric.