Mobility

Severe thunderstorms brought heavy rain and hail to southern parts of the Netherlands on Saturday evening, leading to localised flooding and the suspension of a professional football match. Fire crews tackling a wildfire in the Budel and Weert area were forced to change tactics due to the sudden deluge. A weather warning remains in place for most of the country as the storms begin to ease.

New car registrations in the Netherlands fell by nearly 5 per cent in April, totalling 25,704 units, as geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty prompted the business sector to postpone purchases. This decline follows a volatile start to 2026, largely attributed to a surge in late-2025 sales where leasing companies rushed to beat less favourable tax rules for company cars.

The national recommended price for Euro95 has surpassed €2.60 per liter for the first time, as rising oil prices push fuel costs higher across the Netherlands. Diesel prices are also increasing after a brief decline earlier this month.

The war in the Middle East is pushing Air France‑KLM’s fuel bill up by 2.4 billion dollars this year, with higher ticket prices and a trimmed growth plan the most visible effects for passengers.

NS commuters are expected to experience immense inconvenience this week due to messy trains from the king's day celebrations.

Cyclists in the Netherlands can now get through intersections faster using a new app that signals smart traffic lights in advance, improving flow and encouraging bike use.

Minister Vincent Karremans is exploring a "pragmatic" legal route to distinguish fatbikes from regular e-bikes, with research results expected this autumn. Despite previous studies labeling such a distinction nearly impossible, the Minister believes he has found specific legal "hooks" that could allow for targeted regulations. This approach aims to facilitate measures like a minimum age requirement and "fatbike-free zones" for local councils, alongside an existing plan to mandate helmets for all electric vehicle riders under 18 by 2027.

The number of major train disruptions in the Netherlands reached a record 586 in 2025, surpassing the government‑set maximum for the first time.