LCV Decarbonisation Report reveals rapid adoption rates
Electric vehicle adoption in the light commercial vehicle sector has moved from early adoption to full deployment, according to the LCV Decarbonisation Report.
Published by the Commercial Vehicle Show, the report is based on a survey of 110 UK-based LCV operators.
It found that more than half (55%) already have electric vehicles in their fleets, with electric models accounting for 19% of the average fleet mix. Interestingly, hybrids only account of five per cent of fleets.
However, the report revealed a stark divide in attitudes, with 47% of respondents transitioning directly to electric vehicles but 20% with no plans to do so.
For those who are transitioning, legislative pressure is the most significant driver (43%), followed by Clean Air Zones (35%) and sustainability targets (33%), while the most notable barriers to electric vehicle adoption were range (73%), charging infrastructure (67%) and payload limitations (52%).
Vehicle supply was also identified as a significant issues, with only 13% of operators stating that electric van availability meets their operational needs.
Work to do
Nick Davison, event director for the CV Show, said: “The 2026 Commercial Vehicle Show was at the centre of the industry’s conversation on decarbonisation, bringing together manufacturers, operators, suppliers and decision-makers to share real-world experiences.
“This report builds on those discussions, providing a clear picture of the current state of the transition for LCV fleets. It’s clear that while EV adoption is accelerating, there’s still work to do to give those in the industry the confidence needed to decarbonise at scale.”
