As with any industry in the midst of change, there are moments of doubt and hesitation. The electric motorbike industry is facing its own challenges. Any industry that disrupts traditional norms will inevitably experience highs and lows.

However, this particular decision from the Dutch Government feels like a direct attack on all electric motorbike and moped manufacturers, and their dealers. In October 2024, I released a public statement on LinkedIn where I also requested to work together with governments for financial support and tax relief that would alleviate the initial costs. Not so, according to the Dutch Government …

For many Dutch entrepreneurs, this is a huge blow to their efforts in promoting sustainable mobility. The Dutch government’s sudden decision to disregard all the progress made is unprecedented and difficult to understand!

Guy Salens – THE PACK: “This is the reason why I am sharing this article written by Marchel Bulthuis on LinkedIn. Bulthuis is the Founder and Owner of Electric Motorcycles and provides a thorough explanation in the article.”

BPM measures: the end of electric motorcycles in the Netherlands?

The measures announced in the ‘Staatscourant‘ on December 18, 2024 will have a significant impact on electric motorcycles. From January 1, 2025, the exemption for zero-emission vehicles will be abolished, and so will the subsidies that made these vehicles more attractive.

The implementation of these measures in 2025 will undoubtedly lead to an insurmountable price difference between electric and fuel engines. A seven-fold increase in BPM (‘Belasting van Personenauto’s en Motorrijwielen’) and a doubling of the purchase price will make electric motorcycles a financially unattractive option for sustainable commuting.

In addition, the structural exclusion of motorcycles in mobility plans suggests that, despite the efforts of various interest groups, motorcyclists in the Netherlands are not considered a serious party. A detailed explanation will follow below.

A seven-fold increase in BPM

BPM, which stands for ‘Belasting van Personenauto’s en Motorrijwielen’, is calculated based on the listed price of a vehicle. The emissions also factor into determining the amount to be paid.

One would expect this tax to be evenly applied across all vehicle categories. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Electric motorcycles will face BPM costs nearly seven times higher than those of electric (company) cars with a similar catalogue value starting in 2025.

A company car that emits no CO2 is not subject to any BPM tax, while a passenger car with no CO2 emissions pays a fixed amount of € 667. In contrast, an electric motorcycle incurs a BPM tax of 19.4% of the list price (minus € 210), regardless of its emissions. For a list price of € 25,000, this results in a BPM tax that is seven times higher than for other vehicle categories. (Source: Dutch Tax Authority’s BPM rates)

Purchase price twice as high

These measures greatly widen the price difference between electric motorcycles and fuel-powered ones. This can be seen when comparing the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT (fuel-powered) to the Energica Experia (electric). Both models have similar features and are popular for commuting purposes in the all-road segment.

Starting January 1, 2025, the Yamaha Tracer will maintain its consumer price of €16,299. On the other hand, the Energica Experia will see a significant increase in price from €30,451.80 in 2024 to €35,010 in 2025. This jump of €4,559 is solely due to an increase in the vehicle purchase tax (BPM).

Subsidies

Prior to December 31, 2024, there were multiple subsidies in place for electric vehicles, including grants for individuals looking to purchase one and tax incentives for business owners. Electric motorcycle owners also received exemptions from motor vehicle tax (MRB) and BPM.

To make the purchase of electric cars more attractive, subsidies like the SEPP (Subsidy for Electric Passenger Cars for Private Individuals) and the SEBA (Subsidy for Emission-Free Commercial Vehicles) were offered. These programs aimed to increase the financial appeal of electric vehicles.

Despite the fact that electric motorcycles could potentially qualify for these types of subsidies, they have been left out of all subsidy programs at both local and national levels. This omission highlights a lack of understanding of the potential impact motorcycles can have on promoting sustainable forms of transportation.