Electric motorcycles get a lot of hate. Some folks call them soulless. Others say they’re too expensive, too quiet, or not “real” bikes. But chances are, most of those critics haven’t even ridden one. They just miss the smell of fuel and the bark of an exhaust—and hey, I totally get that.
But resisting change doesn’t stop it from coming. And in the case of EV motorcycles, change might actually be what saves the two-wheeled lifestyle we all love.
Whether you’re into city commuting, weekend blasts, or just vibing with new tech, electric motorcycles have a legit place in the world. And that place is getting bigger, especially in Europe. In recent years, sales of electric bikes have shot up across the continent, with brands like Zero, Super Soco, and even traditional OEMs like Kawasaki, BMW, and Yamaha jumping on board. People are starting to get it—these machines are fast, clean, and surprisingly fun. That instant torque? It’s addicting.
But while many countries have rolled out incentives to get more EVs on the road, not all governments have been consistent with their support. Case in point: the Netherlands.
At the start of 2025, the Dutch government pulled a surprising move. They scrapped the BPM exemption for electric motorcycles, meaning buyers suddenly had to pay the same steep 19.4% purchase tax as they would for a gas-powered bike. Even the road tax exemption and EV subsidies went out the window. We talked about this in quite a bit of detail in a previous article, and it made us really think that the Dutch government hated electric motorcycles. Needless to say, it was a punch to the gut for the local and global electric motorcycle industry.
So why did they do it? Long story short, it was part of a broader fiscal policy change that inadvertently lumped zero-emission motorcycles in with traditional ones. Whether it was an oversight or a miscalculation, it sent the wrong message. Instead of pushing clean mobility, the government ended up punishing those who were actually trying to ride responsibly.
Thankfully, someone came to their senses.
As reported by our friends over at The PACK, after pushback from the RAI Association (the country’s key industry body), along with other stakeholders, the Dutch Ministries of Finance and Infrastructure & Water Management did a complete 180. As of mid-2025, the purchase tax for electric motorcycles has been reworked into a flat €200 rate, applied retroactively from January 1. That’s a huge drop compared to the nearly 20% riders were expected to cough up earlier this year.
According to RAI’s Motorcycle Section Chair Tom Crooijmans, this was a “fast and effective correction.” And he’s right. The new tax setup makes EV bikes far more attractive and accessible, especially since the tech is already there and the bikes are ready to hit the streets.
So what does this mean going forward?
Well, first off, it’s a win—not just for Dutch riders but for the global push toward greener transport. The Netherlands is often seen as a trendsetter in urban mobility, and this move could influence other EU countries that are still dragging their feet when it comes to two-wheeled electrification.
It also sends a clear message: electric motorcycles deserve the same level of policy support as electric cars and bicycles. They’re clean, quiet, space-efficient, and arguably one of the smartest ways to get around crowded cities.
So yeah, maybe you’re still not sold on EV motorcycles—and that’s okay. But give one a try before you knock it. The future’s coming either way, and it’s got a throttle. And hey, let us know what you think: Are tax breaks enough to sway riders? Or does the electric bike revolution still have a long road ahead? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: The PACK
