New LCV registrations down seven months in a row
New LCV registrations shrank by 12.1% to 156,048 units in the first half of 2025, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
LCV sales dropped 14.8% in June to make it seven months in a row of decline.
Year-to-date performance was led by low demand for the largest vans, down 14.8% with 99,790 registered, while medium sized vans were down 20.9% to 26,408 units and 4×4 uptake fell six per cent to 4,041 units.
However, there was growth in demand for small vans, up 30.7% to 4,907 units, and new pickups, which were up 10% to 20,902 units.
Zero emissions
Meanwhile, manufacturers continue to invest massively in zero emission LCVs with nearly 40 different electric van models on the market, up from 28 in the first half of last year. Wider variety has supported a 52.8% increase in sales to 13,512 units, boosted by a 97% jump in deliveries in June.
However, year-to-date sales of electric vans make up just 8.6% of the overall market, little more than half the 16% share mandated by government for 2025.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Half a year of declining demand for new vans reflects a difficult economic climate and weak business confidence and the fact that this downturn comes just as industry invests heavily to expand its zero emission LCV offering is particularly concerning.
“Decarbonisation remains a shared ambition but with the EV market more than a third below this year’s target, bold measures are needed to drive demand. Accelerated CV infrastructure rollout, quicker grid connections and streamlined planning are now critical.”
