SMMT’s latest figures shows a mixed picture for the UK’s new light commercial vehicle market, which continued to face strong headwinds in April. It was the fifth consecutive month of decline in registrations, down -14.2% compared with the same month last year. April is typically a low volume month, so year-on-year fluctuations in volumes are more likely – and the timing of Easter this year certainly did not help. But the market’s current trajectory reflects very difficult economic conditions and a cautious business environment, which inevitably weighs on operator confidence in fleet renewal.
It is extremely positive however that battery electric van uptake rose by 77.5%, with 1,686 units registered – impressive growth that comes thanks to massive manufacturer innovation. There is now almost 40 electric van models available in the UK, so there is huge choice to meet operators’ needs to make the switch. Despite this, current levels of uptake represent 8.3% of the market – little more than half of the target set by the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate this year.
While the vehicle technology is ready to deliver, the ongoing discrepancy between market ambition and reality underlines the urgent need for a national plan that supports fleet decarbonisation, especially with investment and mandated targets for van-suitable charging infrastructure – at depots, shared hubs and public locations across the strategic network.
It’s against this backdrop that SMMT’s International Automotive Summit returns on 24 June, bringing together hundreds of senior leaders from across the automotive sector, aligned industries, government and the media to discuss the UK’s global competitiveness, innovation, supply chains and skills. The commercial vehicle sector always features prominently so it is a key event for anyone looking to get a deeper insight into the challenges we face as part of the UK’s broader automotive industry. Find out more information and how to book your place here.
