News item | 8/29/2023 | 07:00
The number of electric vans is steadily increasing. This year, with a subsidy, more than 7,500 electric vans will be added. This means that the number of electric delivery vans will increase by half in one fell swoop. And that is good news in the run-up to 2025. From then on, cities will be allowed to designate zero-emission zones in and around their city centers that will be supplied without polluting exhaust gases. For example with electric delivery vans.
Since yesterday, the subsidy pot for entrepreneurs who want to switch to an electric delivery van has been empty. Because there was more subsidy, the number of granted applications is more than a third higher than in 2022. This means that more and more entrepreneurs are making the switch to an electric delivery van. There was 33 million euros in the pot this year.
Good for all of us
State Secretary Heijnen: “It is good news that more entrepreneurs are switching again. We are fully engaged in a major transition to clean traffic in our cities and villages. About 30 cities want all new delivery vans and trucks in their centers to drive cleanly from 2025. I think it is very sensible that entrepreneurs, if they can, pre-sort for this now that there is the chance to do so with a subsidy. And good for all of us; It’s nice when your package is delivered in a quiet and clean van.”
Transfer with subsidy
Electric vans are cheaper to maintain and fuel, but more expensive to purchase. That is why entrepreneurs can receive a subsidy until next year if they buy one. The average subsidy amount per van this year is 4500 euros. Smaller entrepreneurs receive more subsidy than larger ones. In addition, entrepreneurs can receive tax benefits when purchasing an electric delivery van.
The purchase price of an electric delivery van is expected to be competitive in 2025 with that of a diesel or petrol delivery van. That is why 2024 is the last year in which entrepreneurs can receive a subsidy. How much subsidy budget there is in 2024 will be announced later this year, it is expected to be more than the total budget of 2023
Entrepreneurs in the city
From 2025, municipalities may introduce a zero-emission zone. In the long term, only vans and lorries that do not emit exhaust fumes while driving will be allowed in this zone. For example, electric or hydrogen. From 2025, all new vans and trucks in these zones must drive cleanly, and by the end of 2030 all of them. This applies to the carpenter, parcel deliverer and also, for example, to the truck that comes to supply the store. There are transitional arrangements for the newer diesel or petrol delivery vans. There are also exceptions for vehicles for which there is no electric or hydrogen variant yet, such as market stalls and circus wagons. The government has also agreed with the participating municipalities not to ask entrepreneurs for impossible things. Municipalities can therefore grant an exemption to entrepreneurs who are struggling with the transition to a clean bus or truck for good reason.
Meanwhile, 29 municipalities have announced that they will introduce a zero-emission zone and more are expected to follow. That is good news for clean air in city centers and for the climate. At the moment there are more than 18,000 electric vans driving around in the Netherlands. With these 7,500 new ones, there is a big shovel on top of the ambition to have 50,000 delivery vans electrified by 2025.
For more information about the Subsidy Scheme for Emissionless Commercial Vehicles (SEBA), please visit www.rvo.nl/seba