The UK’s new van market fell for the fifth month running in April, but electric van uptake surged by 77.5%.

A total of 20,332 vans, 4x4s and pickups joined UK roads last month; down 14.9%, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Demand for new vans of all sizes softened while 4x4s and pickups enjoyed growth, but the April double-cab tax change risks further decline.

More positively, the April registration figures show demand for new battery electric vans (BEVs) weighing up to 4.25 tonnes grew for the seventh month running, surging by 77.5% to 1,686 units, representing 8.3% of the market – up 4.3 percentage points on the same month last year but still representing just half the 16% market share mandated in 2025.

The SMMT said the figures show that fleet operators need further action to switch to EVs sooner, alongside the extended Plug-in Van Grant.

It also called again for the action to ease the current gridlock on grid connection procedures, which means van operators may have wait up to 15 years for depot charging connections – past the sector’s 2035 end-of-sale date.

The industry body has urged for more commercial vehicle-specific public charging infrastructure across the UK’s strategic road network – along with more affordable energy and consistent, efficient implementation of local planning policy.

Given the Government’s recent announcement that it will fast-track grid connections for data centres, wind farms and solar power installations, prioritisation must also be given to transport depots so that fleet operators can be confident to go zero-emission sooner rather than later.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Switching must have clear commercial benefits, so the sector needs bold and assertive action if ambitious mandate targets are to be met. Preferential treatment for grid connections, more affordable energy and consistent local planning – all are needed to make the case for going electric unarguable.”

The SMMT also issued its latest market outlook, which expects the new LCV market to fall by 4.3% to 337,000 units in 2025, almost 11,000 units fewer than expected in January, due to a more challenging economic setting and changes in vehicle taxation. The outlook also predicts that the overall BEV share (up to 3.5 tonnes) will end the year at just 9.1% before reaching 13.3% in 2026 – considerably below mandated targets of 16% and 24% this year and next.