Only a quarter still choose electric
Electric cars are falling out of favor among business drivers. An EV is increasingly being replaced by a fuel car at the end of the lease period. This is the conclusion of the Association of Netherlands Car Leasing Companies (VNA).
Business drivers are increasingly switching from a fully electric car to a hybrid or petrol car because of the high costs, leasing companies warn. “A setback is threatening now that the financial picture is becoming less attractive,” says the Association of Dutch Car Leasing Companies (VNA). According to VNA, in the first half of last year, almost a third (32 percent) of new private lease cars were still fully electric. However, in the second half of the year this dropped to 24 percent. Research by VNA shows that only 31 percent of lease drivers expect to choose an electric car for their next car. More than two-thirds of lease drivers also do not plan to switch to a ‘too expensive’ electric car.
Private individuals also seem to be dropping out, because a number of benefit schemes for electric cars are no longer available. For example, they will no longer be exempt from MRB in 2026, which may mean that the monthly costs will increase significantly. “The uncertainty surrounding private leasing of new and used electric cars is increasing. People do not know where they stand in terms of costs. Will there be compensation for motor vehicle tax for electric cars or not?” The additional tax benefit has also been scaled back in recent years and from 2026 it will no longer apply entirely for a new business electric (lease) car. “Given the price differences between electric cars and fuel cars, it will be financially less attractive to choose electric,” the association concludes.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl