The Dutch bought more powerful electric mopeds than petrol-driven ones for the first time in the first six months of 2022, motoring organisation Bovag said on Friday.

In total, 54% of the 18,000 more powerful mopeds bought in the first half of 2022 were electric, up from 41% in the first six months of last year.

Petrol was still the most popular fuel for light mopeds, which are capable of going no faster than 25 kph, but there too electric vehicles made major inroads.

‘You can buy a good moped with a battery and there is an attractive range of options,’ said Bovag’s Paul de Waal. ‘The price difference between electric and petrol mopeds has become smaller.’

The figures also show that the sale of more powerful mopeds is outstripping that of the lighter versions. From January next year, all moped users will have to wear a helmet, not just those with yellow plates and capable of faster speeds.

Last year, electric bicycle sales accounted for 50% of all bike sales for the first time.