Within the Netherlands, modifications to electric vehicle (EV) incentives have led to a significant surge in demand, benefiting Tesla as it saw a doubling of its sales in this crucial market in 2018.
At Tesla’s Dutch doorstep lies the company’s European hub, where it set up shop as a regional headquarters and built its initial continental production facility.
Gross sales have surged in recent months, with this upward trend persisting throughout both the third and fourth quarters of the year.
The highway authorities have unveiled the full-year registration data, revealing that a total of 12 months is now open for registration. Meanwhile, Tesla has released its December sales report, indicating a significant jump with 2,214 vehicles delivered, bringing the company’s total for 2018 to 8,604 units.
Sales surged to 3,289 autos in this period, a marked increase over the preceding 12 months’ total of 3,288, as reflected in the same registration data.
By the end of 2018, a few Mannequin 3 vehicles had already arrived on the scene in the country, with the official launch set to take place next month.
- Mannequin S: 5,633 models
- Mannequin X: 2,966 models
- Mannequin 3: 5 models
Four out of every five Mannequin 3 units have been registered over the past month.
We knew of some U.S. While European consumers have been importing the Model 3, Tesla has also recently brought several units to the continent, specifically to test its compatibility with Combined Charging System (CCS) charging infrastructure.
However, it’s noteworthy that the significant enhancements to Mannequin S and Mannequin X have led to a substantial doubling of sales.
As previously reported, the surge in demand can largely be attributed to the expiration of a crucial tax incentive on profit-in-kind (BIK) benefits for vehicles priced above €50,000, affecting the Model S and Model X.
The bike-for-business (BIK) tax exemption is estimated to have been worth up to €19,000 in value to company electric vehicle owners over a five-year period.
The federal government’s incentive has reduced the tax rate to 4%. However, from next year, it will rise to 22% on any amount exceeding €50,000.
The Mannequin S and Mannequin X models gained widespread recognition and appreciation within corporate vehicle pools.
The Jaguar I-PACE further distinguished itself within its class, experiencing a significant surge in deliveries over the past year.
British automaker delivered 2,621 electric SUVs into the market last month, totalling 3,495 units for the year-to-date period.
Here are the total registration statistics:
[scribd id=396686204 key=key-GOms8UYsmX9I84LFAhK1 mode=scroll]
Electrek’s Take
Despite a notable surge in Tesla and electric vehicle (EV) sales in the Netherlands, the market is expected to experience a significant downturn following a rush of purchases in autumn.
By 2030, the Netherlands aims to ban internal combustion engines from new car sales, starting an electric vehicle-only market.
The low-cost strategy was deliberately designed for gradual phasing-out by 2030.
To me, it’s crucial that governments phase out generous EV incentives by 2021, as their impact will wane naturally with market growth; instead, policymakers should focus on maintaining momentum through more targeted support measures.
By 2021, I anticipate a significant expansion in electric vehicle (EV) options at more affordable price points, driven by the benefits of economies of scale and decreasing battery costs. Electric vehicles will likely become significantly more aggressive in the market without government incentives, as the environmental impact and actual cost of gasoline-powered cars are factored into their value.
