Car sales remained stable last year. A total of 388,243 new passenger cars were registered in 2025. This is 1.7% more than in 2024.
This is according to figures from RAI Association, BOVAG and RDC. The number of registered passenger cars exceeds the earlier forecast by RAI Vereniging and BOVAG of 367,000 vehicles by 5.7%.
Electric drive wins ground
The market share of electrically-powered passenger cars continued to rise in 2025. Hybrid vehicles now account for a 45.3% market share (42% in 2024). A total of 175,779 hybrid passenger cars will be registered in 2025.
Fully electric vehicles (EVs) account for 40.2% of the total, up from 34.6% in 2024. A total of 156,139 EVs will be registered in 2025.
Internal combustion engine less popular
Petrol-powered passenger cars accounted for 13.1% of the market, down from the 21.8% registered in 2024. A total of 50,723 new petrol cars were registered in 2025.
The number of diesel and LPG vehicles registered in 2025 was very limited. It was 3,993 diesel-engined passenger cars, accounting for 1% of the market. This is similar to 2024. In addition, 1,359 LPG-powered passenger cars were registered, accounting for 0.4% of the market. This is a slight decrease from the 0.6% market share that LPG had in 2024.
Top 5 brands registered (2025)
Kia was the market leader in 2025. The top five registered brands are as follows:
- Kia (37,837 registrations, 9.8% market share)
- Volkswagen (31,883 registrations, 8.2% market share)
- Skoda (27,884 registrations, 7.2% market share)
- Toyota (27,806 registrations, 7.2% market share)
- Renault (24,601 registrations, 6.3% market share)
Top 5 registered models (2025)
These are the top five registered models:
- Skoda Elroq (11,960 registrations, 3.1% market share)
- Kia EV3 (10,973 registrations, 2.8% market share)
- Tesla Model Y (10,790 registrations, 2.8% market share)
- Kia Picanto (8,858 registrations, 2.3% market share)
- Toyota Aygo X (6,947 registrations, 1.8% market share)
Top 5 EV models registered (2025)
The top five registered EV models are as follows:
- Skoda Elroq (11,960 registrations, 7.7% market share)
- Kia EV3 (10,973 registrations, 7% market share)
- Tesla Model Y (10,790 registrations, 6.9% market share)
- Tesla Model 3 (5,829 registrations, 3.7% market share)
- Volvo EX 30 (5,269 registrations, 3.4% market share)
'Average age of fleet is high'
Huub Dubbelman, chairman section passenger cars and light commercial vehicles at RAI Association is moderately positive. "Due to a sales spurt in November and December, more new cars were ultimately sold than expected. But in historical terms, the figure of 388,000 is still relatively low: over the past 15 years, an average of more than 410,000 cars were registered each year. Because relatively few new cars are sold while many young used cars are imported and because people continue to drive their cars for a long time, the average age of the fleet is high, with negative sustainability consequences," Dubbelman said.
"However, it is positive to note that more and more consumers are opting for fully electric cars. The market share of cars with a hybrid powertrain is also rising - there are now plug-in hybrids that allow you to drive up to 150 kilometres fully electric. Hybrids provide an important intermediate step towards all-electric driving. We advocate continuing to encourage electric driving, without penalising consumers who choose a combustion engine car - including hybrids."
'Fiscal choices set the pace of the market'
Bert de Kroon, president of BOVAG Autodealers: "The fact that more new cars were registered this year than expected is a windfall. At the same time, like last year, we see that tax choices determine the rhythm of the market. In 2024, the expiry of the purchase subsidy led to a final spurt; in 2025, announced changes to the additional tax rate did the same. Different instruments, same effect: a spike at the end of the year and then the risk of a relapse. That that decline may now be less pronounced due to the longer duration of the favourable additional taxable benefit for electric cars is positive for sustainability, but at the same time underlines how unpredictable the market has become."
Kroon continues: "What is positive is that parties currently negotiating a new cabinet underline the importance of stable, multi-year car taxes. Now this must be delivered. BOVAG and RAI Vereniging's appeal is clear: opt for car tax reform, multi-year clarity and future-proofing. And, hook up with European policy."
'Car market at similar level next year'
RAI Vereniging and BOVAG expect a total of 361,000 new passenger cars and 40,000 light commercial vehicles to be registered in 2026. This will keep the Dutch car market next year at roughly similar levels to 2025.
