Ive never met a Dutch person or been to the Netherlands nor do I consume any Dutch media. But this seems like something they would do. It seems the Dutch are extremely fair.
Like the Dutch man might be worried that if he doesnt charge his coworker something then his coworker will worry about paying him back in some way. So he gives him an easy out and bills him 50c.
The coworker actually scammed the Dutch guy because he didnt bill him for the car ride and now the Dutch man owes him something.