Entrepreneurs: "Sustainable mobility is a trend that will disappear"
The attitude of entrepreneurs towards sustainable entrepreneurship is less positive than in previous years. On average, in 2026, 70% find sustainable entrepreneurship important, which shows a decline compared to 2025 (78%). Additionally, it appears that entrepreneurs increasingly find it less important to switch to cleaner transport as quickly as possible, regardless of existing laws and regulations. More than half of the entrepreneurs (large business 56% and SME 56%) believe that sustainable mobility is a trend that will disappear.
"The transition to more sustainable mobility does not proceed in a straight line," says Maurice Koopman, CEO of Schade & Inkomen at Nationale-Nederlanden. "Despite the plans to make electric driving more attractive, we see in a period of economic uncertainty that entrepreneurs are reconsidering their priorities. Add to that the acute cost and personnel challenges they are facing. This makes sustainability sometimes seen as something 'extra' rather than a strategic investment. But this does not mean that sustainability policies are disappearing. Only the pace and motivation are shifting."
Shift among consumers continues
Among individuals, the movement towards more sustainable transport continues steadily. The share of hybrid cars among car owners grew from 10% in 2024 to 17% in 2026, while the percentage of gasoline cars shows a declining trend from 81% to 76%. The share of electric cars is growing less rapidly, but consistently from 7% in 2024 to 9% in 2026. Additionally, purchase costs are mentioned by fewer individuals as the main barrier to switching to electric driving (from 52% in 2024 to 37% in 2026). Changes are also visible in the daily behavior of consumers: the use of gasoline cars for short private trips decreased from 44% to 41%, while more people are choosing the (electric) bike.
Growing expectations towards employers and advisors
Despite the decreasing necessity for sustainable mobility among entrepreneurs, societal pressure is increasing to encourage greener travel behavior. Over three-quarters (77%) of private non-car owners and 69% of car owners believe that employers should actively encourage their employees to travel sustainably. Employers thus play an important role in the further greening of mobility. For example, by offering a bicycle scheme, adjusting travel expense policies, or promoting electric driving. According to Koopman, advisors also have an important role here: "Employers are increasingly looking for ways to make mobility policies future-proof. Advisors can help organizations translate societal expectations and regulations into practical solutions. Such as a bicycle scheme, revising travel expense policies, or advising on fiscal mobility solutions.
