The UK’s new LCV market rose 1.1% in February as soaring demand for large vans offset a weak pickup market while uptake of electric vans also surged.

LCV registrations rose 1.1% overall last month, with 14,641 vans, pickups and 4x4s joining the road, according to the new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The modest rise marked the second increase in three months following a 12-month stretch of decline, but February remains a small volume month, coming ahead of the March plate change and typically accounting for just some 5% of annual volumes.

The large van segment remained the industry’s standout performer, with registrations of vans weighing 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes rising 7.6% to 10,719 units, accounting for nearly three-quarters (73.2%) of the new van market.

Demand for vans in the 2.0- to 2.5-tonne segment also improved, up 16.9% to 2,477 units, while 4×4 registrations increased 64.0% to 269 units.

The pickup market continued to slump, down 54.9% to just 813 units, reflecting the ongoing impact of last year’s fiscal changes to Benefit-in-Kind and capital allowance treatment of double cab pickups. Demand for smaller vans also declined, with the market for those weighing under 2.0 tonnes down 15.0% to 363 units.

Demand for battery electric van (BEVs) surged 42.2% to 2,009 units, pushing their market share to 13.5% but still far short of the 24% required by the ZEV mandate this year.

Diesel continued to dominate, accounting for almost eight in 10 registrations – and the SMMT said this highlights the scale of the challenge facing manufacturers and operators in transitioning to zero-emission fleets amid infrastructure, cost and operational constraints.

For the year to date, total LCV registrations stand at 32,203 units, down 3.9% compared with the same period last year.

Demand for BEVs rose by a third (33.9%) to 3,853 units, but their 11.8% share of the market is still less than half the mandated target.

The SMMT said recent announcements such as the extension of funding for the Plug-in Van Grant until 2027, the new Depot Charging Scheme and proposed changes to planning rules for private charger installations will all help the transition, but it warned that natural market demand “remains so far behind regulatory ambition” that the sector continues to call for the Government to bring forward a review of the transition, and the ZEV mandate regulation governing it.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The van market’s modest growth in February is welcome, as is another month of rising demand for electric models. Pickup registrations, however, continue to lag given last year’s fiscal changes, while EV uptake remains far below the level required by regulation, despite more than half of all models being available as EVs and with massive discounts on their sale. That is unsustainable and therefore requires a wholesale review of the transition to ensure we have a framework that is realistic, deliverable and affordable.”

The list of bestsellers for both February and the first two months of 2026 was topped by the evergreen Ford Transit Custom and Transit, followed by the Vauxhall Vivaro.