A new study, widely covered by publications including de Volkskrant and Change Inc., concludes that the Dutch electricity grid can support up to 11 million electric vehicles—far more than the current total of approximately 500,000. The key condition is that smart charging must be adopted on a large scale.
Off-peak charging is key
The study shows that grid congestion—the risk of insufficient electricity capacity—does not have to become an insurmountable obstacle to the growth of electric mobility. According to the researchers, charging electric vehicles outside peak electricity demand periods would allow the existing grid infrastructure to support far more EVs than previously assumed. Smart charging, modular development of charging infrastructure, and spreading electricity demand throughout the day are the main levers.
At the same time, AutoWeek warns that the rapid growth in the number of EVs could still contribute to electricity shortages occurring sooner than expected. The Netherlands could reach the limits of its grid capacity as early as 2030 if charging behavior does not change. The message is clear: it is possible, but it will not happen automatically.
What does this mean for fleet managers?
For organizations electrifying their fleets—especially with the pseudo final levy on combustion-engine vehicles taking effect in 2027—this is good news. The technical barrier to switching fully to EVs is lower than previously thought. However, it does require a well-considered charging strategy: when should employees charge at home, how can charging demand at the workplace be distributed, and which charging rates are most cost-effective?
Platforms such as Fleet.nl help fleet managers maintain control. By centrally monitoring charging behavior, costs, and contracts, organizations gain the insight needed to manage charging intelligently—not only at vehicle level, but across the entire mobility mix.
