The UK’s new light commercial vehicle market has fallen for six months in a row, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
It has reported that LCV sales fell by 11.8% in May with 22,796 vans, 4x4s and pick-ups joining the road.
Demand shrank for new vans of all sizes, with the largest models down 14.0% to 14,652 units, while deliveries of medium sized vans fell by 9.2% to 4,065 units and the smallest vans by 7.8% to 673.
Only the new 4×4 segment saw growth, up 36.9% to 716 units. The pickup segment, meanwhile, declined by 12.7% to 2,690 registrations.
Meanwhile, demand for battery electric vans continues to grow. It was up 50% to 1,731 units in May – the seventh successive month of rising demand. But despite this, zero emission vans represented just 7.6% of the overall market in May and 8.2% in the year to date – half the 16% share mandated for 2025.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Six months of declining new van demand reflects a tough economic environment and weak business confidence – and that won’t be helped by punitive taxes such as on double-cabs that will only restrict wider growth.
“Fleet renewal with the latest, cleanest models must be encouraged so it’s positive that zero emission van uptake is rising, but with market share at just half the mandated level, it’s clear we need action to drive that uptake faster. Accelerating LCV-centric and affordable chargepoint rollout is the bold next step that van operators and manufacturers need now.”
