The variety of UK mild business autos (LCVs) registered within the UK grew by 15.3% in Might in contrast with final yr, reaching 25,359 items, in keeping with the newest figures from the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT). It represents the fifth consecutive month of rising deliveries because the market rebounds from a tricky 2022 as provide chain challenges proceed to ease, though registrations stay -13.0% under the pre-pandemic 2019 degree.¹

Registrations of the most important LCVs, weighing larger than 2.5 to three.5 tonnes, rose by 8.3% to 17,173 items, representing practically seven in 10 (67.7%) new vans, whereas deliveries of medium-sized vans weighing greater than 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes reached 4,143 items, up 57.2%. As fleet operators proceed to go for fashions with bigger payloads, demand for small vans at or under 2.0 tonnes fell by -42.3%, whereas the variety of newly registered pickup vans elevated by 13.3%. In the meantime, deliveries of recent 4x4s surged by 698.7% to 615 items final month, proof of the various vary of LCVs that hold Britain on the transfer.

Extra companies switched to zero emission workhorses, too, with the battery electrical car (BEV) market up 19.7% to 1,041 items, representing round one in 24 new vans. Rising demand implies that 7,028 all-electric vans have been registered to this point in 2023, a rise of 15.5% on the identical interval final yr. With greater than 25 electrical van fashions now obtainable within the UK, operators have a wealth of selection in zero emission options. Regardless of the sturdy progress made by the sector, demand for electrical vans stays far behind the brand new automotive market, the place the BEV market share is 3 times larger.

Subsequent yr, the launch of the Zero Emission Automobile (ZEV) Mandate will set a minimal quota for brand new ZEV registrations for each producer, nevertheless, the best barrier to elevated BEVs on UK roads is charging nervousness – the concern of being unable to discover a appropriate, obtainable and dealing chargepoint wherever and at any time when wanted – a very acute concern for business car operators.

As such, the UK should type a nationwide plan to ship the zero emission van transition and accomplish that urgently. This may be achieved by way of a supportive fiscal framework, simplified planning processes, sooner grid connections and the supply of a nationwide community of dependable, inexpensive chargepoints. As well as, regulated infrastructure targets which might be commensurate with new car registration mandates would assist to reassure van operators that their particular enterprise wants could be met with a battery electrical van. Funding is undoubtedly coming for the automotive sector, however the van sector can’t be left behind.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Government, stated,

A van market rebound is a chance to ship an more and more environmentally sustainable restoration and a lift to the financial system. However each lever should be pulled to help the electrical change. With the forthcoming ZEV Mandate, we additionally want a nationwide plan to ship public charging infrastructure that encourages plug-in van uptake, to provide the UK confidence over what can – and should – be a secure, profitable transition for companies up and down the nation.

1 Might 2019: 29,142 items.

SOURCE: SMMT