Recently in our articles we discussed the issue environmental investment in business in 2022. Now we want to inform you about a new opportunity for eco-investment. Already since 9 May this year, entrepreneurs in the Netherlands will be able to receive subsidies when buying electric or hydrogen trucks.
Cleaner traffic by 2050
The Dutch government plans to switch to emission-free road traffic by 2050. According to officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat), the country is now halfway towards that goal.
Entrepreneurs are also starting to use transport on electricity and hydrogen, in particular, for passenger and cargo transportation. Although many are still put off by the high cost of such vehicles, as well as the insufficient number of electric charging stations and hydrogen refueling stations in the country, the government is striving to solve both of these problems in the near future. Firstly, by introducing subsidies and tax incentives for enterprises using clean energy transport. Secondly, through the full coverage of the network of gas stations in all regions.
Subsidy plan
As part of the implementation of the Paris (Climate) Agreement, the Netherlands will systematically introduce restrictions for car owners from year to year in order to reduce CO2 emissions. According to analysts, in order to fulfill the commitments made, by 2030 the Netherlands must introduce the regime of ecological (emission-free) zones - zones with zero levels of harmful emissions - in 30-40 cities. This move will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by one megaton per year.
However, the organization of environmentally friendly logistics in cities will require about 12 thousand electric and hydrogen trucks with a carrying capacity of more than 3,5 tons. To achieve this indicator, a plan to subsidize road carriers is being introduced. The size of the subsidies depends on the type of truck and the size of the company.
For large companies
The subsidies will amount to 40% of the price difference, taking into account additional costs compared to a diesel truck in general (subsidy + tax credit).
Small business
If we are talking about a company that employs less than 10 people, then the amount of subsidies can reach 60%. Mostly reimbursed for the cost of buying a car. But electric trucks are cheaper to use and maintain than diesel ones.
Motivation
The program to reduce harmful emissions from cargo transportation is actively promoted by Vivianne Heijnen - Secretary of State for Infrastructure and Water Management. In particular, the official highlights the comprehensive benefits of environmentally friendly freight transport: “We all benefit from this. This is the climate, and our clean air, and the competitiveness of the logistics sector in our country. Electric trucks are much more expensive than diesel trucks, which is why we provide financial support to entrepreneurs who switch to them. I hope that an electric truck will soon become as commonplace on the roads as an electric passenger car.”
The Netherlands is a country with heavy freight traffic. On the one hand, it creates jobs and brings profit. But on the other hand, transport with a large carrying capacity is the main source of air pollution. These vehicles account for over a third of CO2 emissions and 70% of nitrogen emissions from road traffic worldwide. The transition to zero-emission vehicles for transporting goods is a necessary and inevitable step for life on the planet.
Publication Date: 02.06.2022
