The Commercial Vehicle Show will take place at the NEC Birmingham from 21–23 April 2026 for what will be its biggest and best edition to date, bringing together a record number of exhibitors and content for the road transport sector.
This year’s event will host 320 exhibitors and, for the first time, include the Bus & Coach Expo together with an expanded floorplan across halls 4 and 5.
These developments reinforce the show’s position as the UK’s leading annual meeting point for operators, manufacturers and industry decision-makers.
Nick Davison, Event Director, Commercial Vehicle Show (Nineteen Group), said: “The CV Show is where deals are done, partnerships are formed, and ideas are shared.
“Whether you’re a fleet manager, manufacturer, supplier, or service provider, the opportunity to meet face-to-face with such a concentrated and influential audience is unmatched.”
Some of the biggest commercial vehicle manufacturers will showcase their latest products and launches, with new product launches forming a key part of the three‑day programme.
These include Chery Commercial Vehicles, making its UK debut, Iveco with the eJolly and eSuperJolly, as well as returning brands Farizon, Ford, Isuzu, Kia, Renault and Stellantis.
Based on the theme “Fuelling Change: the route to decarbonising road transport”, the event comes at a key time for UK operators across LCV, HGV, bus and coach sectors as they switch technologies on the journey to net zero.
As well as decarbonisation, the 2026 event will showcase artificial intelligence, emerging vehicle and fleet technologies, workforce skills and driver welfare – areas seen as crucial to shaping the industry’s future.
The event brings together manufacturers, innovators, fleet operators, policy‑makers and trade bodies to examine shared challenges and opportunities.
It also sees the introduction of dedicated industry research led by the organisers, gathering perspectives from around the sector on issues such as decarbonisation, investment, infrastructure and technology adoption.
These findings are to inform discussions during the show to ensure the agenda reflects industry priorities.
Meanwhile, the programme will expand significantly in 2026, going up from three stages to six.
New elements include the future fleet arena, the driver safety theatre as well as the bus and coach leaders’ forum, which join the established main stage, technical theatre and decarbonisation theatre.
More than 150 speakers are scheduled to take part in about 75 seminars and panel sessions, covering topics such as decarbonisation pathways, digital transformation, workforce development, safety, finance and regulation.
Feature areas including the future fleet lab, driver safety zone and collaboration zone, along with live demonstrations and ride & drive experiences, will offer practical insight on the show floor.
For example, the collaboration zone will see the involvement of Mission Community, an advocacy organisation that works to direct veterans toward vacancies as well as work with industry to create the conditions, behaviours and leadership culture that allow the Armed Forces community to genuinely thrive.
Meanwhile, at The EV Café Village, visitors will experience the latest in electric vehicle technology and gain insights from industry leaders dedicated to a net-zero future.
With a focus on both vehicles and the ecosystem that supports them, this interactive space is designed to make the transition to electric transport straightforward and powerful for businesses.
Davison said the 2026 Commercial Vehicle Show promises to be more dynamic than ever.
He added: “We’re unveiling a completely refreshed show floor layout to improve visitor flow and maximise exhibitor visibility.
“This year, we’re also introducing new themed zones to help attendees navigate key sectors more effectively, whether they’re looking for innovations in fleet technology, sustainable fuels, or logistics solutions.”
Both the SMMT and the Road Haulage Association will contribute expertise throughout the programme.
With year‑on‑year visitor numbers rising by 24 per cent and the addition of new research, expanded content and increased industry involvement, the event is positioned as a key destination for those shaping the future of UK road transport.
Davison said: “Exhibiting allows companies to generate qualified leads, raise brand awareness, and position themselves at the forefront of industry innovation.
“It’s not just a stand, it’s a strategic investment with year-round marketing support and visibility.”
Meet the Bus Operator
For the first time, the show will be co‑located with Bus & Coach Expo, creating a combined platform for commercial and passenger transport.
According to the organisers, the shared venue will support closer cross‑sector collaboration – important at a time when common challenges require joint solutions.
In addition, SMMT will host Meet the Bus Operator at the show on 23 April – organised in partnership with the Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) – bringing together more than 30 local transport authorities and operators in one-to-one business meetings with zero emission vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure providers, energy solutions specialists and funding experts to help deliver green technology to passengers in every region of the UK.
Combined with the CV Show and Bus & Coach Expo, the week’s events will provide a one-stop shop for the heavy vehicle transport sector to build new partnerships, secure long-term growth and futureproof their business – with that future looking increasingly zero emission.
With many major UK fleet operators committed to ambitious decarbonisation timelines, and the Bus Services Act giving local authorities greater control over services, bus decarbonisation is anticipated to accelerate – with businesses attending Meet the Bus Operator positioning themselves for success.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said: “Bus decarbonisation is rapidly becoming a British success story, but we must build on that momentum to ensure more operators and passengers gain the advantages of green mobility.
“Manufacturers are providing the products and unlocking operator investment is now critical if the UK is to realise the significant benefits of a modernised public transport network, cleaner air, quieter streets and a better rider experience across the country.”
