UK registrations of new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) fell by 22.2% in November, with 23,570 vans, pick-ups and 4x4s entering service, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The decline continued a slowdown in fleet renewal throughout 2025 amid weak business confidence and a challenging economic backdrop, leaving the year-to-date market 11.4% down on the same period in 2024.
Demand fell across every LCV segment. Large vans were down 19.7% to 16,463 units, although they continued to account for the majority of registrations at 69.8% of the market.
Medium vans declined 20.5% to 3,976 units, while new 4×4 registrations fell 10.3% to 705 units. The sharpest drop was in small vans, down 53.8% to 462 units.
Pick-up deliveries also recorded another steep fall, dropping 34.8% to 1,964 units following fiscal changes that reclassified double cabs as cars for benefit in kind and capital allowance purposes.
The industry has continued to call for the decision to be reversed due to its impact on fleet renewal and tax receipts, and the risk of keeping older, higher-emission vehicles in use for longer.
Battery electric van registrations bucked the wider trend, rising 25.3% to 2,909 units and achieving a 12.3% market share, the highest monthly proportion this year.
BEV uptake has grown 44.7% year-to-date with 27,159 registrations.
However, the current 9.4% market share remains well below the 16% level mandated by government for 2025.
Manufacturers continue to invest in electric LCVs, with more than 40 BEV models now available.
Major barriers to greater adoption persist, including higher purchase costs, slow grid connection times for depot charging and limited public infrastructure suitable for vans.
The sector has welcomed measures such as the extension of the Plug-in Van Grant, the new Depot Charging Scheme and proposed planning reforms for charger installation, but with the mandated target set to rise to 24% in 2026, industry says rapid implementation is essential.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Lacklustre light commercial vehicle uptake highlights weak economic confidence, and slower fleet renewal means slower decarbonisation.
“While it is encouraging that zero emission van uptake is rising, the pace of change severely lags government ambition, and every lever must be pulled to support demand and protect industry investment – both of which are essential to our shared net zero goals.”
