Smart Investment in an Urban Arrow Business Bike: All Grants and Subsidies at a Glance

The Rules: Hit the Road Without the Hassle

By law, an electric cargo bike (up to 25 km/h) is treated as a 'regular' bicycle. This offers several operational advantages:

• No license or registration required: Anyone on your team can start riding immediately.

• No helmet requirement: Convenient for frequent stops and getting on and off.

• Access: Park right at the front door and access narrow streets, even within zero-emission zones.

There are various subsidies available to encourage businesses to switch to electric bikes, ranging from national tax incentives (such as MIA and VAMIL in the Netherlands) to local grants.

Tax Benefits: MIA & VAMIL

The government encourages sustainable investments through the MIA (Environmental Investment Allowance) and VAMIL. This is not a direct grant, but a reduction of your taxable income.

The 75 kg weight limit

To qualify for this scheme (code F 3119 or F 3120), the cargo bike must have an unladen weight of at least 75 kg.

• The Urban Arrow Tender: These models weigh more than 75 kg as standard and therefore meet the requirement.

• The Urban Arrow Cargo L & XL: These frames weigh approx. 50-52 kg. You only qualify for the tax benefit if you choose a solid, heavy setup such as the Flightcase or the Aluminum box. With a lightweight cover, you will not reach the weight threshold.

Note: You must submit the application to the RVO within 3 months of the purchase agreement.

Read more about the tax benefits and the step-by-step plan for the MIA and VAMIL application in “Subsidies for Electric Cargo Bikes for Entrepreneurs: A Boost for Sustainable Transport”.

Local schemes: Subsidies for emission-free transport

As an entrepreneur in Amsterdam, you can use a transition subsidy of €3,000 if you replace your diesel van with an emission-free alternative. The municipality covers part of the purchase price.

Calculation Example Cargo L: With a purchase price of €6,899 including VAT (€5,701.65 excluding VAT), the total benefit from the Amsterdam subsidy combined with tax schemes (MIA/KIA) can amount to more than half of the investment. In many cases, the net investment ends up being only approx. €2,800 to €3,100 excluding VAT (depending on your tax bracket). You recoup this amount through the disappearance of parking fees and lower operational costs.

Not only the municipality of Amsterdam offers a subsidy for switching to emission-free transport. Curious about what is possible in your region? Read more about local subsidies and regulations in “Local subsidies: How your municipality contributes to your new Urban Arrow Business Bike”.