November saw a -22.2% decline in new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations with 23,570 units delivered, according to new SMMT data published this week. The downturn affected all van sizes, including the largest vans – which represent almost 70% of the overall market.
Despite a volume fall, the BEV share did rise in November, up 25.3%, with robust BEV uptake across 2025 to date, up 44.7% on last year. BEVs now account for 9.4% of the market, which is a significant achievement thanks to manufacturers investing heavily in zero emission model rollout, but it still remains well below the mandated 16% share for 2025.
The industry is moving fast, with over 40 zero emission LCVs now available for operators to order. The transition to cleaner fleets is reshaping decision making across road transport and next April, the Commercial Vehicle Show returns – with SMMT providing our members with a 15% discount on their stand bookings. Nineteen Group, organising next year’s show, recently announced a number of vehicle manufacturers that have booked stands, including a number of established LCV brands, along with new entrants to the UK market. We can expect to see a considerable line-up of zero emission vehicles to help operators plan ahead for the drive to net zero.
The 2026 event brings exciting new features designed to deliver a more immersive and connected experience. Visitors can enjoy the Ride & Drive Arena, offering real test drives across a range of vehicles, and explore the Future Fleet Lab, a hub for innovation and forward-thinking solutions. The Collaboration Zone introduces a dedicated space for networking and partnership building, while the popular Workshop Zone returns with hands-on demos for maintenance and operations. This year also marks the launch of the Bus & Coach Expo, expanding the CV Show for the passenger transport community.
SMMT is working on the seminar programme for the CV Show main stage and Bus and Coach Expo stage. These sessions will be focused on key industry topics including decarbonisation, future skills and vehicle crime. If you’ve not already booked your stand for next year visit https://www.cvshow.com/, where visitor registration is now open.
