Netherlands Medium and Heavy Duty Truck Market Overview, 2030

The Netherlands' medium and heavy-duty truck market has undergone significant transformation, led by EU-wide emissions regulations, digital fleet integration, and aggressive zero-emission targets in urban freight. Historically dominated by diesel-powered DAF, Volvo, Scania, and Mercedes-Benz trucks, the market has seen a clear shift since 2021 toward battery-electric models for last-mile and regional delivery. DAF, headquartered in Eindhoven, launched its new electric LF and XF series with ranges exceeding 500 km, aligning with the Dutch Climate Agreement requiring all new city logistics vehicles in zero-emission zones to be fully electric by 2025. Key technological advancements include over-the-air (OTA) fleet diagnostics, AI-driven route optimization, and modular chassis systems that support EV retrofitting. Innovations such as regenerative braking, integrated telematics with predictive maintenance, and real-time driver behavior analytics are now standard features in premium truck fleets. Certification of vehicles follows EU Regulation 2018/858, which sets type-approval requirements for emissions, safety, and cybersecurity, while CO₂ emissions are regulated under EU Regulation 2019/1242 for HDVs. All commercial trucks must also comply with Dutch RDW vehicle registration standards and NL-specific type approvals for EV incentives. Government policies impact market competition through large-scale subsidy programs such as the AanZET scheme (Accelerated Emission-free Trucks), offering up to €130,000 per eligible electric truck, and the SSEB subsidy for charging infrastructure. The Netherlands also supports these measures through exemptions on road taxes (MRB), toll discounts, and fast-track urban permits for zero-emission vehicles. While Dutch regulations align with EU norms, they are often more stringent in implementation especially in urban zones like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. Neighboring countries like Belgium and Germany provide similar ZEV incentives but lack the same density of charging infrastructure and local city mandates.

According to the research report ""Netherlands Medium and Heavy-Duty Truck Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Netherlands Medium and Heavy-Duty Truck market is anticipated to grow at more than 2.17% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. This market is driven by the Netherlands’ strong push toward clean logistics, EU regulatory mandates, and the exponential growth of e-commerce, which collectively shape truck design, sourcing, and deployment. Raw materials such as high-grade steel, aluminum alloys, lithium-ion battery cells, and rare-earth magnets are often sourced through EU supply chains, with major processing hubs in Essen and Dunkirk. However, volatile prices for lithium and cobalt, plus geopolitical supply risks, threaten cost stability. Truck assembly takes place at DAF’s plant in Eindhoven and Volvo’s factory in Apeldoorn, where modular manufacturing lines adapt quickly to diesel, electric, and gas-powered models. Manufacturers rely on a robust distribution network featuring authorized dealers, leasing operators like Pon and VDL, and integrated telematics service offerings. Sales are heavily concentrated in logistics-heavy zones such as Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and the Randstad region. Market trends include rising adoption of zero-emission rigid trucks for urban delivery, LNG tractors for regional intermodal routes, and hydrogen pilots for long-haul corridors. Opportunities are opening up in cold-chain logistics, port services, and municipal fleets, especially given the Netherlands’ high-density urban centers and freight-forward position. Industries such as retail, agriculture exports, construction, and waste management also depend on this vehicle segment for their daily operations. Sector consolidations such as Paccar’s acquisition of Leyland Trucks and Volvo’s purchase of Terberg have intensified competition, pushing OEMs to offer bundled services including maintenance, driver training, and telematics. Leading players maintain dominance through strategies like full-service fleet leasing, TCO-based pricing, software-as-a-service telematics, and partnerships with EV charging network providers (e.g., Allego, Fastned). They’re also piloting new energy solutions, including hydrogen-ready powertrains and smart grid integration. Startups and venture capital activity are vibrant, with firms like Watership EV Drivetrain and Amber Mobility securing EU grants and VCs to revolutionize battery modularity and predictive fleet analytics.

In the Netherlands, segmentation by vehicle class within the medium and heavy-duty truck market is shaped by city logistics demands, industrial transport needs, and strong sustainability regulations. Medium-duty trucks (3.5 to 16 tonnes) primarily support urban and regional freight, waste collection, and utility services in densely populated cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam. These trucks include models like the DAF LF Electric and Volvo FL, designed for low-noise, zero-emission operations within municipal zero-emission zones. Their compact design and short turning radius make them suitable for last-mile delivery, catering to grocery, postal, and e-commerce sectors. Fleet operators benefit from government incentives, such as the AanZET scheme, which offsets the high upfront cost of electric models. Many fleets operate these vehicles under lease arrangements with integrated service and telematics packages, reducing TCO (total cost of ownership) and improving compliance with evolving local regulations. Heavy-duty trucks (above 16 tonnes), such as the DAF XF and Mercedes-Benz Actros, dominate long-haul freight, container transport, bulk cargo, and construction logistics. These vehicles operate primarily across highways and intermodal corridors connecting ports like Rotterdam and inland terminals in Tilburg or Venlo. With payload capacities exceeding 20 tonnes, they are built for endurance and volume, featuring Euro VI diesel engines or emerging hydrogen and LNG drivetrains. The transition to cleaner fuels is underway, supported by infrastructure projects like LNG corridors and hydrogen fueling pilots. Heavy-duty trucks are also part of the Netherlands’ strategy to decarbonize freight, with OEMs and logistics companies participating in EU-funded programs like ENTRANCE and Horizon Europe.

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) trucks, primarily diesel-powered, still form the bulk of the fleet, especially in heavy-duty applications such as cross-border transport, container hauling, and construction logistics. Models like the DAF XF and Scania R-series remain standard for long-distance freight due to their reliability, fueling infrastructure, and range flexibility. However, even ICE trucks are now built to Euro VI standards, equipped with AdBlue-based SCR systems and particulate filters to meet stringent emission norms. Electric propulsion is rapidly gaining traction, especially in the medium-duty segment used for city logistics, postal services, waste management, and grocery distribution. DAF’s LF Electric, Volvo FL Electric, and Mercedes-Benz eActros are among the models operating in cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, where zero-emission zones (ZEZs) will be mandatory by 2025. These trucks benefit from the Dutch government's AanZET subsidy, offering up to €130,000 per vehicle, alongside SSEB grants for charging infrastructure. Most electric trucks have ranges between 200–500 km and are operated under full-service leasing with telematics for energy monitoring and route optimization. Other propulsion systems, including CNG, LNG, and hydrogen fuel cell trucks, are emerging in niche applications. CNG trucks are used in regional waste management and public services due to lower emissions and fuel costs, while LNG trucks serve regional and cross-border routes, particularly along the TEN-T corridors supported by LNG refueling stations. Hydrogen trucks, such as those from Hyzon and H2X Global, are in pilot stages with operators like Breytner and Holthausen Clean Technology. The propulsion shift in the Netherlands is driven by government mandates, EU Green Deal targets, urban policy pressures, and logistics firms aiming to meet corporate sustainability goals, transforming vehicle deployment strategies nationwide.

Rigid trucks dominate inner-city and regional logistics, particularly in sectors like postal delivery, retail distribution, municipal waste, and utility services. Their compact structure allows better maneuverability in narrow urban roads, making them ideal for daily routes in cities like Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague. DAF LF and Volvo FE are commonly used in this segment, with growing adoption of electric variants due to zero-emission zone regulations. Rigid trucks are also popular among utility service providers for street cleaning, water tankers, and maintenance vehicles. Tractor-trailers or articulated trucks are the backbone of long-haul freight operations, container movement, and industrial logistics. These units, led by models like the DAF XF and Scania S-series, typically operate between Rotterdam Port, inland terminals like Venlo or Tilburg, and neighboring countries via the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Their modular structure supports various trailer types flatbeds, curtain-siders, and reefers catering to high-volume cargo and cross-border compliance. Tipper or dump trucks are less common but essential in construction, roadworks, and dredging sectors. Vehicles like MAN TGS and Iveco Trakker operate in sites such as the Marker Wadden land reclamation and Amsterdam Zuid infrastructure upgrades, hauling sand, gravel, and demolition waste. They feature heavy-duty axles, hydraulic tipping beds, and often run on CNG for environmental compliance. Other body types, including tankers, refrigerated trucks, crane-mounted flatbeds, and mobile workshops, support specialized industries like petrochemicals, food logistics, and telecom infrastructure. For instance, temperature-controlled trucks transport dairy and flowers across the Aalsmeer–Schiphol logistics corridor.

Logistics and transportation dominate the sector, with trucks forming the backbone of domestic delivery and cross-border trade, especially between key hubs like the Port of Rotterdam, Schiphol Airport, and inland terminals in Venlo and Tilburg. DAF, Volvo, and Scania tractors support container hauling, cold-chain logistics, and retail distribution. The rise of e-commerce has driven demand for electric medium-duty trucks in urban last-mile delivery, reinforced by mandatory zero-emission zones in cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht from 2025 onward. Construction and mining activities, though smaller than logistics, rely heavily on tipper trucks, mixers, and flatbeds to support infrastructure upgrades, tunneling projects like the Rotterdamsebaan, and civil works near the Maasvlakte expansion. Vehicles in this segment need high durability and payload, often operating under CNG or hybrid systems for sustainability. Agriculture and forestry, centered in Gelderland, Friesland, and Flevoland, use rigid trucks and flatbeds to transport produce, feed, and timber. These vehicles are often configured with cold-storage or tanker bodies to handle dairy, flowers, and grains sectors critical to the Dutch agri-export economy. Utility and municipal use includes refuse trucks, street sweepers, firefighting units, and mobile maintenance fleets operated by cities and regional authorities. These fleets are rapidly electrifying, encouraged by government procurement programs and noise-reduction laws. Other applications include energy sector logistics such as LNG and hydrogen transport, telecom infrastructure support, and mobile medical units. Many of these are customized truck bodies integrated with real-time monitoring systems and managed via public-private partnerships.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Medium and Heavy Duty Truck Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Vehicle Class
• Medium (3.5 to 16 Tonnes)
• Heavy (16 Tonnes and Above)

By Propulsion
• ICE
• Electric
• Other

By Body Type
• Rigid Trucks
• Tractor-Trailers / Articulated Truck
• Tipper / Dump Trucks
• Other

By end users
• Logistic transportation
• Construction and Mining
• Agriculture and Forestry
• Utility And Municipal
• Other