Hybrid car sales continue to rise

The number of hybrid cars in the Netherlands rose by a fourfold between 2009 and 2014, reports Statistic Netherlands (CBS). There are currently 156 thousand hybrid vehicles in the country. In 2014, 30 thousand vehicles were purchased, with three-quarters of those purchased by a business. The proportion of hybrid cars rose accordingly, from 0.5% in 2009 to two percent in 2014. The increase of their share in 2013 was the largest of any other automotive segment. Higher sales that year are related to tax benefits for purchasers of hybrid cars, such as zero-rate road tax and a purchase tax exemption. After tightening of the regulations at the end of that year, sales slowed down by 34 percent. Hybrid and electric car usage currently accounts for about two percent of all kilometers driven on Dutch roads.