UK demand for brand spanking new mild business autos (LCVs) grew by 8.4% with 23,962 autos becoming a member of companies and firm fleets throughout Britain throughout January, in accordance with the most recent figures printed by the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT). The rise marks 13 consecutive months of progress and the very best January whole since 2021,¹ reflecting the rising function of vans in Britain’s economic system, from native trades and deliveries to nationwide retailers.

Progress was most pronounced for medium-sized vans, up by nearly two thirds (60.9%) as 5,040 had been registered. Representing 21.0% of the entire market, these autos are in a position to carry heavy masses whereas additionally benefitting drivers with smaller dimension necessities, akin to these in cities. Whereas the most important vans proceed to be the most well-liked, registrations fell by -4.5% to 14,839 autos – nonetheless representing greater than six in 10 (61.9%) of all new vans. Pickup and 4×4 uptake additionally elevated, up 18.2% and 62.4% to three,002 and 729 autos respectively, whereas registrations of the smallest vans dropped by a fifth (-19.8%) to only 352 items.

New van registrations are additionally more and more zero emission, as demand for brand spanking new battery electrical autos (BEVs) grew to 1,186 items in January, up 19.4% on the identical month final yr. Consequently, some 60,517 new BEVs have joined Britain’s roads since 2018,² with entry to the Plug-in Van Grant serving to companies to scale back their carbon footprint and reduce their carbon emissions. Given some 28 completely different BEV fashions had been registered in 2023, there’s extra alternative than ever for consumers to spend money on the most recent zero emission autos.

Regardless of the numerous enhance in BEV numbers in recent times, nevertheless, demand should speed up sooner, with volumes anticipated to develop from 5.9% of the market final yr to 9.4% throughout 2024 – barely wanting the ten% goal mandated by authorities. Whereas flexibilities within the Automobile Emissions Buying and selling Scheme will allow producers to offset this preliminary shortfall, softening demand underlines the necessity for better funding in public charging infrastructure for vans of all sizes, which stays the largest barrier to sooner BEV rollout. The present degree of demand, moreover, means the Plug-in Van Grant should proceed to encourage operators of all kinds to change to the very newest know-how.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Government, mentioned,

Greater than a yr of progress exhibits the significance of vans to Britain’s economic system, and surpassing 60,000 electrical vans is an important step in our internet zero journey. Business is able to ship a mass market transition however purchaser demand should enhance massively, requiring everybody to play their half. Ramping up devoted public van charging infrastructure particularly is important for all UK companies to be assured of constructing the swap, sooner somewhat than later.

1 LCV registrations, January 2021: 24,209 items.
2 LCV registrations, January 2018 to January 2024: 60,517 items.

SOURCE: SMMT