UK demand for brand spanking new mild industrial automobiles (LCVs) grew by 8.4% with 23,962 automobiles becoming a member of companies and firm fleets throughout Britain throughout January, in keeping with the newest 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 position of vans in Britain’s financial system, from native trades and deliveries to nationwide retailers.

Progress was most pronounced for medium-sized vans, up by virtually two thirds (60.9%) as 5,040 have been registered. Representing 21.0% of the entire market, these automobiles are capable of carry heavy hundreds whereas additionally benefitting drivers with smaller dimension necessities, akin to these in cities. Whereas the biggest vans proceed to be the most well-liked, registrations fell by -4.5% to 14,839 automobiles – 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 automobiles respectively, whereas registrations of the smallest vans dropped by a fifth (-19.8%) to simply 352 items.

New van registrations are additionally more and more zero emission, as demand for brand spanking new battery electrical automobiles (BEVs) grew to 1,186 items in January, up 19.4% on the identical month final yr. Because of this, 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 lower their carbon emissions. Given some 28 completely different BEV fashions have been registered in 2023, there may be extra selection than ever for consumers to put money into the newest zero emission automobiles.

Regardless of the numerous enhance in BEV numbers lately, nonetheless, demand should speed up quicker, 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 Car Emissions Buying and selling Scheme will allow producers to offset this preliminary shortfall, softening demand underlines the necessity for higher funding in public charging infrastructure for vans of all sizes, which stays the largest barrier to quicker BEV rollout. The present degree of demand, moreover, means the Plug-in Van Grant should proceed to encourage operators of all sorts to change to the very newest know-how.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Government, stated,

Greater than a yr of progress exhibits the significance of vans to Britain’s financial system, and surpassing 60,000 electrical vans is a vital step in our web zero journey. Trade 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 creating the swap, sooner slightly than later.

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

SOURCE: SMMT