Car sales rise in the Netherlands as electric and hybrid vehicles gain market share

Slightly more cars were sold in the Netherlands last year compared to 2024, with electric and hybrid vehicles further increasing their market share, the industry organizations BOVAG and RAI Vereniging report.

A total of 388,024 cars were registered, up 1.7 percent from the previous year. Sales spiked in December, with car sales nearly 32 percent higher than in December 2024.

Hybrid cars remained the most popular, expanding their market share to more than 45 percent, up from 42 percent in 2024. Fully electric cars now make up 40 percent of total sales, compared with just under 35 percent last year. Meanwhile, diesel, petrol, and LPG vehicles continued to lose market share.

Kia was the most popular brand in 2025, followed by Volkswagen and Skoda in second and third place, respectively. The most frequently registered model was the Škoda Enyaq, a fully electric SUV.

Tesla, which is usually a market leader in the electric car market, saw sales drop 44 percent to 16,703 vehicles. CEO Elon Musk drew attention this year for his controversial role in U.S. politics, acting as adviser to President Donald Trump, cutting government spending, and dismantling the development aid agency USAID. Experts also note that competition from manufacturers offering cheaper electric models has increased.

Many Chinese manufacturers grew in the Netherlands thanks to their electric and hybrid models. Zeekr’s sales rose by more than 70 percent, while Lynk&Co increased by 63 percent.

BYD sold 4,370 cars domestically, over a thousand more than in 2024, and reported nearly 2.3 million electric cars sold globally in 2025, potentially setting a sector record.