A recent article in the Dutch newspaper De Ondernemer takes a critical look at the Park+Switch pilot in Amsterdam. While the article highlights the challenges and limited uptake of the hub, it also accurately captures why this type of hub does not work well for this particular target group.
For many tradespeople and service providers, the van is not simply a means of transport – it is their workplace, carrying the tools and materials they need to do their jobs. The pilot has therefore provided valuable insights into the practical limitations of the concept. We are also concluding that the time is not yet ripe for a hub in this form and for this specific target group. Sharing these lessons is an important part of learning what works, what does not, and how future solutions can better respond to the realities of different professions.
Park+Switch is much cheaper than parking, but entrepreneurs rarely switch: ‘our van is our workplace’
Abstract from article in De Ondernemer, June 29, 2026
Amsterdam’s Park+Switch initiative was designed to help tradespeople and service providers access the city’s zero-emission zone without relying on their own vans by offering a hub where they could park and switch to smaller, electric vehicles. Despite lower costs compared to city-center parking, adoption has been minimal, with only three organizations using the system. The primary obstacle lies not in the concept itself but in its misalignment with the practical needs of workers. (....)