The UK light commercial vehicle (LCV) sector is now in a phase of active EV deployment across fleets but major challenges remain, according to the new LCV Decarbonisation Report from the Commercial Vehicle Show.

The study – based on a survey of 110 UK-based LCV operators, mainly SMEs – shows that electrification is already well underway, with more than half (55%) of respondents now running eLCVs, while EVs account for around 19% of the average overall fleet mix, putting them clearly as the second most common powertrain after diesel.

Notably, hybrid vehicles play a limited role in this transition, making up just 5% of fleets, with many instead opting to move directly from diesel to fully electric vehicles.

But despite strong levels of adoption, the report reveals a clear divide in how operators are approaching decarbonisation.

While 47% of fleets are already transitioning directly to electric vehicles, one in five (20%) report having no current plans to adopt EVs or plug-in hybrids at all.

This is reflected further with some operators anticipating fully electric fleets by 2030, but the largest proportion (25%) expect EVs to account for just 0-10% of their fleet, underlining the uneven pace of transition across the sector.

Confidence in achieving net zero plans is similarly mixed, with a significant proportion of operators remaining unconvinced that the sector will be able to meet its targets.

The CV Show said the findings point to a sector progressing at different speeds, shaped by varying operational requirements, levels of readiness and confidence.

The report indicates that the transition is mainly being driven by external factors rather than because it offers an operational benefit.

Legislative pressure is the most significant driver, influencing 43% of operators, followed by Clean Air Zones (35%) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets (33%). Operational savings and customer expectations also play a role, but to a lesser extent.

While adoption is increasing, operators continue to face a consistent set of practical barriers that are limiting further progress. Vehicle range is the most widely cited challenge, affecting 73% of operators, followed by charging infrastructure (67%) and payload limitations (52%).

Infrastructure remains a particularly significant issue, with more than 80% of operators believing that not enough is being done to support charging for commercial vehicles. This highlights a clear disconnect between the pace of vehicle adoption and the development of the infrastructure needed to support it.

In addition, vehicle supply continues to lag behind demand, with only 13% of operators stating that current electric van availability fully meets their operational needs.

Overall, the report confirms that the LCV sector is firmly in a phase of active transition.

Nick Davison, event director for the CV Show, said the question is no longer whether fleets will adopt electric vehicles, but how quickly the industry can overcome the operational and structural barriers that continue to limit widespread deployment.

Davison added: “The 2026 Commercial Vehicle Show was at the centre of the industry’s conversation on decarbonisation, bringing together manufacturers, operators, suppliers and decision-makers to share real-world experiences. This report builds on those discussions, providing a clear picture of the current state of the transition for LCV fleets. It’s clear that while EV adoption is accelerating, there’s still work to do to give those in the industry the confidence needed to decarbonise at scale.”

The full LCV Decarbonisation Report is available to download here.