Electric vehicle adoption trends in the Netherlands and France

In the Netherlands, battery-electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for 7.3 percent of the total car fleet as of January 1, 2026, an increase from 6.1 percent in early 2025. Despite this growth, 92.7 percent of vehicles on Dutch roads still utilize internal combustion engines or hybrid drivetrains. Data from RAI Vereniging and BOVAG shows a decline in traditional fuel vehicles, with gasoline-only fleets shrinking by over 141,000 units and diesel fleets decreasing by approximately 86,000 units within a single year.

To address accessibility, France has implemented a 'social leasing' program, the first of its kind in Europe. This initiative allows low-income individuals to lease electric vehicles for between 140 and 200 euros per month for at least three years. Eligibility is based on income limits and specific commuting requirements, such as living more than 10 kilometers from a workplace. While the French government provides 50,000 vehicles annually for this program, experts note that the scale of the initiative remains a point of discussion regarding its overall impact on the energy transition.