The introduction of a purchase tax (bpm) on a diesel delivery van as of 2025 has hardly any effect on reducing CO2 emissions. Electric models are not yet a realistic and profitable alternative for a majority of entrepreneurs in the coming years. Even after introduction, entrepreneurs will opt en masse for a diesel delivery van in the coming years. This will not accelerate the electrification of the vehicle fleet envisaged by the cabinet. This and more is apparent from a survey by MKB-Nederland and VNO-NCW in collaboration with 10 business organisations. According to MKB-Nederland chairman Jacco Vonhof, the cabinet is wrongly counting itself rich. 'Entrepreneurs depend on their delivery van for their work. This is therefore purely a matter of increasing the burden and that must be removed from the table.'
Counterproductive
As of 2025, the cabinet will collect a purchase tax (bpm) on delivery vans with a combustion engine. The cabinet expects to 'raise' a total of 2,2 billion euros with the measure and, above all, to accelerate the electrification of the delivery van fleet. The measure makes a new diesel delivery van an average of 11.000 euros more expensive. 'As a complete surprise from last Budget Day, as of 2025, there will also be an extra increase in the road tax (MRB) for entrepreneurs. SMEs are the backbone of the economy and these entrepreneurs also want to electrify themselves. That is why the parties are calling on the House and Cabinet to work with them on alternatives that accelerate sustainability and maintain the investment capacity of SMEs.
However, the survey among almost 1.000 entrepreneurs with delivery vans shows that even if the bpm exemption is abolished, 84 percent will still opt for diesel: 48 percent indicate that they will continue to drive in their 'old' delivery van, 27 percent import a young used diesel from abroad and 9 percent purchase a new diesel delivery van. Only 9 percent of entrepreneurs invest in a new electric delivery van. According to Vonhof, these results show that this government measure is counterproductive. 'It makes the climate gains calculated by the cabinet very uncertain.
Electric not always suitable
According to Vonhof, the need to become more sustainable is of great importance and entrepreneurs really want to contribute to this. In the coming years, however, an electric delivery van is a good alternative for only 16 percent, while this is not yet clear for 27 percent. No less than 57 percent indicate that electric is not suitable for their business activities for the time being. The electric delivery van market is developing rapidly, but especially for entrepreneurs who often have to load their delivery van heavily and/or have to travel greater distances, the often smaller range and the lack of a robust 'fast charging network' are the limiting factors. It is also uncertain how the availability of electric delivery vans and the purchase price will develop in the near future, now that raw materials for batteries, among other things, are becoming increasingly scarce.
Extend purchase subsidy
Extending the current purchase subsidy for the purchase of an electric delivery van (SEBA scheme) can help convince more entrepreneurs. In that case, 22 percent of entrepreneurs are considering purchasing an electric delivery van rather than a diesel one. However, 64 percent still stick to the choice for a diesel and 15 percent remain uncertain.
Better alternatives
The business organizations want the cabinet to take a step back with the process of introducing a bpm on delivery vans and look for alternative solutions that work more effectively and also guarantee the intended income.
About the survey
Nearly 1.000 entrepreneurs from various industries participated in the survey: from transport and metal to food, cleaning and retail. Of those surveyed, 39 percent have 2 to 4 vans, 33 percent have one and 26 percent have more than 5. 64 percent of entrepreneurs plan to invest in replacing or expanding their company vehicle fleet before 2024. Bouwend Nederland, BOVAG, evofenedex, RAI Association, Techniek Nederland, Transport and Logistics Netherlands (TLN) and Association of Dutch Car Leasing Companies (VNA), Koninklijke Metaalunie, said BOVAG.
