The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) among Dutch entrepreneurs is slowing down. For instance, the percentage of entrepreneurs willing to make the switch to an electric company car is falling.
This is according to Monitor Light Commercial Vehicles from the RAI Association. The study was conducted by VMS | Insight and provides insight into the current and future needs of businesses regarding their fleets. The focus of the survey is on sustainable mobility and electrification. Some 600 entrepreneurs participated in the survey. Remarkably, the share of companies not active in sustainability increased from 16% to 28%.
High awareness of ZES and BPM exemption
Many entrepreneurs are familiar with Zero Emission Zones (ZES); by 2023, 86% of entrepreneurs will be familiar with them. In particular, companies with large fleets expect these zones to have a major impact on the composition of their fleets.
Many entrepreneurs are also interested in the BPM exemption for light commercial vehicles. 80% of the entrepreneurs surveyed are familiar with this scheme. Among other things, the scheme affects vehicle choice and deployment. And ensures, among other things, that entrepreneurs drive on longer with their current company car, choose a young used car, use parallel imports or switch to an electric company car early.
Reliability remains most important consideration
By the way, sustainability is not the most important consideration for entrepreneurs when buying a company car. Reliability is the most important selection criterion, regardless of fleet size. Road handling and driveability are important for smaller fleets. Cost/Total Cost of Ownership (TCOL) and range play a major role for medium and large fleets.
It is also striking that entrepreneurs are less likely to intend to choose an EV company car compared to a fossil-fuel company car. In particular, uncertainty about regulations and consequences of ZE zones and BPM changes. Interest in EVs is greater from large fleets than from smaller fleets. Until 2024, entrepreneurs will continue to buy many diesels. However, RAI Association expects interest in EVs to increase even among entrepreneurs and points out that large fleets are already more likely to opt for EVs.
Finally, the role of dealers is growing, especially for large fleets. They need comprehensive service and flexible mobility solutions, and knock on dealers' doors for this.
'Subsidisation and incentives remain necessary'
"The research reveals a slow transition to electrification in Dutch commercial vehicle fleets. Therefore, subsidies and incentives remain necessary to allow entrepreneurs like the baker, carpenter and plumber to make the transition," said Huub Dubbelman, chairman section passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. "Subsidisation of electric vans remains necessary for the time being, because the measures taken by the government, such as the introduction of ZES zones and the abolition of the bpm exemption on diesel vans, do not seem to have the desired effect."
Many entrepreneurs are familiar with the ZES zones and the ending of the BPM exemption. However, this does not translate into high interest in electric vans. For instance, only a third of entrepreneurs plan to buy an electric van.
Alternative measures
Other entrepreneurs are opting for alternative measures. For example, they choose to buy new diesel delivery vehicles before the end of 2024, import used vehicles from abroad or use current vehicles for longer.
Clear differences can be seen between companies of different sizes. For example, managers of large fleets are more involved in sustainable mobility policies than small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Based on the results, RAI Association concludes that SMEs lag behind in the transition to EVs and need more incentives. If the government wants to promote the transition to zero-emission transport in the van sector, it should reward sustainable entrepreneurship, according to Dubbelman.
Permission scheme for electric delivery vans expires
A major reason for the declining intention to buy an EV company car is lack of clarity about regulations. A concrete example is the driving licence required for heavy electric vans. EVs tend to be a lot heavier than fossil fuel variants due to the presence of batteries. This translates into different driving licence requirements, among other things.
It was announced last week that from 2024, a C driving licence will be required to drive electric delivery vans with a maximum authorised mass of 3,501 kg and above. The decision will have a major impact on some entrepreneurs, who will either be required to get their C licence or be able to carry less cargo than previously expected.
Currently, there is a tolerance regime. The OM wants to extend this tolerance scheme only until 1 June 2024, despite a call from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to extend it until 31 December 2024. Under the current tolerance scheme, drivers with a B driving licence are allowed to drive an electric van up to a maximum of 4,250 kg. Normally, this limit is 3,500 kg.
Several industry organisations including Transport & Logistics Netherlands (TLN), Royal RAI Association, Evofenedex, Association of Dutch Car Leasing Companies (VNA), BOVAG, Koninklijke Bouwend Nederland, Techniek Nederland, INretail, VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland argue that the tolerance scheme is coming to an end too soon and call it unacceptable. Among other things, they point to the severe shortage of personnel, which makes the deployment of drivers with a C-truck driving licence impossible.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: Wolfgang Eckert via Pixabay
