Over the next few years, road users in the Netherlands will have to pay a charge for each kilometre they drive. The average charge for a car will rise from 3 euro cents per kilometre in 2012 to 6.7 cents in 2018. This measure is set out in the bill on the kilometre charge , which the cabinet has approved and will now be submitted to parliament. Road tax and purchase tax on cars and motorcycles will be abolished. Instead, motorists in the Netherlands will pay for each kilometre they travel. This means that motorists will start to pay for using their vehicle rather than for owning it. The revenue generated will not exceed that from the 'old' taxes. In fact, 59% of motorists are expected to pay less under the new system. The proceeds from the kilometre charge will go directly into the infrastructure fund. This fund will be used to build roads, railways and other types of infrastructure.

Research shows that road pricing will cut congestion by half. The number of kilometres driven will drop by about 15%. This will benefit the environment, as CO2 and fine particulate emissions will fall by over 10%. The fewer emissions motorists create as they become more aware of their driving, the less they will have to pay.

In his speech to the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende called on the world leaders present to work together to achieve the three goals of stability, solidarity and sustainability. All 192 members of the United Nations are permitted to address the 64th General Assembly. Since its opening on 23 September 2009, dozens of world leaders have already spoken; on 26 September it was the Dutch prime minister's turn. According to Mr Balkenende, the agreement reached at the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh on strong, sustainable and balanced growth has proved that the international community is paving the way for solid and sustainable economic recovery. He also urged greater cooperation in other areas, such as the energy and food crises, poverty and climate change. In the latter connection the prime minister stressed the importance of an ambitious, fair and comprehensive agreement at the upcoming climate conference in Copenhagen. He announced that the Netherlands will call for a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions worldwide by 2050 relative to 1990 levels.

Source: Dutch government

The  government of the Netherlands has earmarked 65 million euros to help make the Netherlands the international testing ground for electric cars. It has also drawn up a plan to speed up the introduction of electric cars onto the market. By 2010, the price of electric cars is to be far more competitive. And the first steps must have been taken towards a standard battery charging system. The government believes that the Netherlands is ideal for electric cars. Distances are short, roads are flat and the electricity network is good. What is more, many of the leading suppliers of parts for electric cars are Dutch companies. The government wants to make use of this advantageous starting position. Some of the measures from the government plan are: (1) Companies that buy electric cars will receive an average of 8,000 euros in support, (2) Companies investing in battery charging points will be eligible for tax breaks, (3) Electric cars will be exempted from both car and motorcycle tax and road tax and (4) Wherever possible, the government will buy electric cars for its own fleet. The Formula E team, made up of people from the knowledge industry, the market and civil society organisations, will look at the challenges, opportunities and dilemmas presented by electric cars.

Source: Dutch government

"The Netherlands has established a sound energy policy framework addressing the key challenges: energy security, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability", said Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), today in the Hague at the launch of Energy Policies of IEA Countries - the Netherlands 2008 Review. He highlighted the country's demanding energy and climate agenda, noting that it calls for a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 from 1990 levels, a 20% share of renewables in the energy mix by 2020 and annual energy efficiency improvements of 2% by 2020. "The Netherlands now faces the challenge of making its ambitious aspirations a reality."

The IEA publication acknowledges the government's efforts towards a sustainable energy future that include developing medium- and long-term policy projections, setting up concrete targets and intensifying its support for energy research and development. The report also emphasises the progress in developing competitive electricity and gas markets, and the Netherlands' role in European energy security. "Although domestic gas reserves and production are now in decline, the Netherlands maintains its key position in the gas market through enhanced trading and increased storage capacity", said Mr. Tanaka in the presence of the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Maria van der Hoeven. "Security of electricity supply also benefits from the Netherlands' interconnections with neighbouring countries."