The number of unmanned gas stations in the Netherlands quadrupled over the past 15 years, to the point that the country now counts more unmanned gas stations than manned ones, according to figures from sector association Bovag, NU.nl reports.
The number of unmanned gas stations increased from 575 in mid-2003 to 2,098 at the start of this year. In that same period, the total number of gas stations decreased by 2.7 percent to 4,121.
Unions, associations and interest groups had mixed reactions to the Rutte III government's plans for the future. While some are carefully optimistic about what the Netherlands will hold in the coming years, the new government agreement left others with only concerns, according to reactions on the Volkskrant's liveblog of the agreement presentation.
Last year bicycle sales in the Netherlands dropped to the lowest level in 30 years, according to figures from RAI, Bovag and GfK. Despite this revenues from bicycle sales reached a record high by increasing 4.2 percent, mostly thanks to the increasing popularity of expensive electric bikes, ANP reports.
Last year 928 thousand new bicycles were sold, a decrease of 5.7 percent and the lowest point since 1987. In 2007 a total of 1.4 million bikes were sold, but since then sales decreased every year.
The number of less fuel-efficient cars on roads in the Netherlands increased this year, according to industry associations Bovag and Rai Association. The associations attribute the increase almost entirely to the revised policy that removed tax benefits for buying cars, which was implemented on January 1st
The VVD and PvdA are pressuring Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen of Infrastructure and Environment to ban scooters and mopeds on bike paths
Cycling is becoming increasingly popular in the Netherlands. The number of bicycle kilometers traveled by inhabitant was 1,018 kilometers last year, compared to 865 kilometers around the turn of the century. Electric bike sales was good for a turnover of more than 414 million euros in 2014.
Trade organization BOVAG is using mobility week to advocate for better conditions for cyclists. The organization wants more room for cyclists and a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour everywhere where cyclists are present.
A coalition of auto associations sent a letter to the cabinet outlining an alternative taxation plan for the car market. They are calling on lesser market distortion, greater simplicity of regulation and more incentives for producers of electric cars.
The sales of new cars in the Netherlands fell by 6.9 percent in 2014 to 387,835 new cars sold. This is according to the industry organizations BOVAG, RAI Association and RDC and Central Bureau Mobility Information.
Two filling stations in the border region filed a legal suit against the State of the Netherlands. They say that they were severely affected by the consequences of the tax increase which came in force early this year.
Automotive sales in the Netherlands is headed for the lowest number of new cars sold since 1969. In comparison to last year, new car sales has dropped with over 19 percent in 2014, a prediction made by Aumacon in anticipation of decreased sales in the beginning of this year.
State Secretary of Finance Eric Wiebes (VVD) and the coalition parties PvdA and VVD have reached an agreement on an adjusted plan for car tax and lease cars.
Motorcycle sales increased sharply this year. More motorcycles were sold in the first three quarters of 2014, than in the whole 2013.
During the first half of this year 200 million liter less diesel was sold than during the same period last year.
The government wants to reverse the increase of excise on fuel, according to NOS, based on The Hague sources. In addition to a multitude of complaints, the measure costs the treasury money, instead of adding to it.
The Dutch government missed out on 65 million euros in consumer tax and value added tax (VAT) in January alone, according to calculations of the Bovag (a union of automobile merchants and mechanics).
Consumers bought fewer cars in 2013 than in 2012. December 31st counted 417,036 newly registered passenger cars, 17 percent less than the year before, according to data from the RAI, BOVAG, and the Central Bureau Mobility Information.
The Dutch government has more than 1 billion euro annually in lost revenues, because motorists from the border areas massively stuffing their tank in Belgium or Germany. This is evident from a Thursday published research from industry organizations BOVAG and NOVE in cooperation with Trendbox.
