Source: Tweewieler

The government of the Netherlands has launched a new subsidy program aimed at encouraging low-income individuals to switch from gas-powered mopeds and scooters to electric versions. This initiative is expected to benefit companies in the two-wheeler industry, as the allocated funds are estimated to help sell around 3,500 electric models.

An initial €10 million had already been set aside for local governments under the Specific Grant Clean Air Agreement (SpUk SLA), designed to support the implementation of clean air initiatives. An additional €7 million is available for the remainder of this year and 2025. This funding aims to help financially strapped individuals replace their polluting vehicles with electric ones. Municipalities will design their own trade-in schemes and offer them to low-income residents, with the condition that old mopeds or scooters are scrapped at certified facilities. In return, participants receive up to €1,200 in credit toward a new or second-hand electric scooter, with the government covering two-thirds of the cost and the municipality covering the rest. Municipalities set their own income criteria, and so far, about fifteen municipalities interested in the program have expressed interest, with more able to register until the end of September. The funds will then be distributed based on population size and other factors.

Addressing Mobility Poverty

“Through the trade-in scheme, approximately 3,500 electric mopeds and scooters will enter the market, which is great for the sector,” said Martijn van Eikenhorst, the section manager for scooters at RAI Vereniging, who was involved in the program’s development. He noted that mobility poverty is emerging, as more zero-emission zones are created and not everyone can afford to adapt. The initiative ensures that those with limited financial means can also transition to sustainable mobility. “In the Netherlands, we offer various mobility options, and we must preserve this freedom of choice,” he added.

Creating a Blueprint

Van Eikenhorst emphasized the importance of having a structured approach for municipalities implementing the scheme. “We are working on models to make it easier to deliver e-scooters to people without upfront payments and to manage the recycling of old vehicles efficiently. Every municipality shouldn’t have to start from scratch and face similar challenges.” The city of Arnhem, for example, has shown interest in the program, building on its prior experience with local trade-in schemes that offer additional support to low-income residents.

Local Business Impact

XXL Scooters in Arnhem, a company benefiting from the local exchange program, reports that the early problems with implementation are fading. Entrepreneur René Tolhuisen said the voucher system allows low-income residents to obtain electric vehicles without needing upfront payments. “We receive daily requests for trade-ins, and every day we collect mopeds for demolition,” he noted. Tolhuisen’s team offers electric scooters starting at €999, meaning those with local subsidies like the Gelrepas don’t need to pay anything out of pocket.

Tolhuisen played a key role in raising awareness of the scheme among local businesses, calling on fellow entrepreneurs to participate. This resulted in more drop-off points and increased sales of electric scooters. He expects the national program to complement Arnhem’s local subsidy in the near future.

Opportunities for Other Businesses

Armando Muis of La Souris, a business with locations in various cities, views the new subsidy program as an opportunity to boost both sustainability and sales. He plans to take a more proactive approach to the upcoming scheme, especially given its potential for creating confusion across different municipalities. Muis is particularly interested in ensuring transparency regarding which areas participate in the program and how full the subsidy pot remains.

He has instructed his marketing team to track participating municipalities and tailor online campaigns accordingly. “About 80 percent of our customers come to us through online promotions,” Muis said, noting that their most affordable electric scooter is priced at €999, making it possible to offer it for free through the subsidy.

Challenges for Municipalities

While there is enthusiasm for the new program, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has stated that it is unlikely a central platform will be created to track participating municipalities. Each municipality is responsible for announcing its own involvement. Currently, applications are being processed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, but no decisions have been finalized. BOVAG has been actively communicating about the subsidy’s potential benefits for entrepreneurs, and it hopes that municipalities will take the lead in informing local businesses about their participation. “If you set up a subsidy like this, you want it to be used effectively,” said BOVAG spokesperson Stijn Oosterhoff. “It shouldn’t turn into a confusing patchwork.”