EV boost helps van market return to growth

SMMT: Zero-emission uptake rises 44.7% but market share still under half of 24% mandated

The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market rose by 6.8% in April with 21,716 vans, pickups and 4x4s joining UK roads, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 

The SMMT says that while the performance is compared against a weak April last year – a month impacted by tax changes – the return to growth after a disappointing March is welcome.

Performance was mixed, with overall growth driven by deliveries of large vans, up 28.5% to 15,561 units, representing 71.7% of all new LCVs registered. Medium-sized vans declined, meanwhile, by -20.0% to 3,476 units. In the smaller volume segments, registrations of 4x4s rose by 81.6% to 1,024 units, while small vans fell -14.4% to 489 units.

Demand for pickups slumped again, down -57.4% to just 1,166 units, rounding off volume declines in 11 of the past 12 months – the result of last April’s fiscal changes to treat double cabs as cars for Benefit in Kind purposes.

While double cab VED and VAT rules remain the same, the SMMT says the BIK measure is heaping additional costs on business sectors such as farming and construction. The automotive sector is urging the government to reverse the measure and unlock investment in the latest, increasingly zero-emission models, taking older and more polluting vehicles off the road while boosting Treasury tax receipts.

In contrast, demand for battery electric vans (BEVs) grew following a decline in March, up 44.7% with 2,439 registrations in April. At an 11.1% market share, however, BEV adoption represented less than half the 24% share mandated for 2026. More than half of the UK’s LCV model offering is currently available with a plug, backed by substantial manufacturer discounts and government’s Plug-in Van Grant – yet the higher upfront cost of BEV fleet renewal, rising energy costs and infrastructure challenges remain barriers to greater uptake.

With the year-to-date BEV share still just 9.4%, the automotive sector continues to call for a review of the transition to ensure the regulation reflects market realities and operators have the additional support they need to accelerate zero-emission adoption.

The latest automotive industry outlook for 2026 has been revised downwards, with 314,000 units expected to be delivered this year – flat (-0.5%) compared with last year, and 7,000 units fewer than January’s outlook. BEVs up to 3.5T are expected to see volume growth of 25%, half the level anticipated in January, reaching a market share of 11.1% – considerably adrift of the ZEV Mandate ambition.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “April’s improved market is welcome news, despite a tough economic environment. New LCV investment drives growth and decarbonisation, but must be sustained by investment in public and depot BEV infrastructure – and a reversal of BIK on double cabs – to build momentum for fleet renewal that cuts emissions and boosts business.”