UK registrations of new LCVs plummeted by more than a fifth (22.2%) in November, although battery electric van uptake soared.

A total of 23,570 vans, pickups and 4x4s joined the road last month, down 6,730 units on November 2024, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The fall continued the downward trend across 2025 so far, with 11.4% fewer registrations across the first 11 months of the year, compared to the same period last year. The SMMT said the continued decline was due to weak business confidence and a tough economic environment.

Demand in November fell across all LCV segments, with large vans down 19.7% to 16,463 units – but still representing the majority (69.8%) of the overall market. Medium-sized vans fell by 20.5% to 3,976 units, while registrations of new 4x4s and small-sized vans also shrank, by 10.3% and 53.8% to 705 and 462 units respectively.

Pickup deliveries recorded a steep decline for the second month in a row, down by 34.8% to 1,964 units, following the Government’s decision to treat double cabs as cars for Benefit-in-Kind and capital allowance purposes. This prompted the SMMT to renew calls for HMRC to reverse the fiscal changes.

But battery electric van (BEV) uptake bucked the trend, up 25.3% in November following the decline in October. The 2,909 units registered accounted for 12.3% of the overall market – 2025’s highest monthly share.

And for the year to date, BEV demand is up 44.7% compared with the same period in 2024, with 27,159 registrations. Despite this performance, the year-to-date BEV market share stands at 9.4% – a significant distance behind the 16% share mandated by the Government for 2025, although carmakers have individual targets and flexibilities at their disposal.

The SMMT said major barriers remain to growing BEV uptake, including higher cost of acquisition given the higher cost of production, lengthy depot grid connection waiting times, and a “paucity” of van-suitable public charging infrastructure.

Positive announcements this year include the extension of the Plug-in Van Grant, the new Depot Charging Scheme and proposed planning reform for private charger installations. But with just one month of 2025 remaining, and the overall ZEV mandate target rising to 24% next year, the SMMT said urgent rollout of support was essential to protect the UK’s investment appeal.

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.”

Matt Hawkins, head of Flexis UK&I – the electric van JV between Renault, Volvo Group and CMA CGM – commented: “The latest SMMT figures confirm that 2025 has been a standout year for electric vans, with new eLCV registrations rising sharply by 44.7% year-on-year and gaining market share.

“This strong year-on-year performance – set against wider market uncertainty and a marked decline in overall CV registrations – underlines how businesses are increasingly recognising the operational, cost and environmental advantages of going electric.

“We are now in peak season for e-commerce and those benefits matter more than ever. Mass adoption is still being held back by complex infrastructure challenges and a lack of clarity from government. At Flexis, we remain focused on helping customers understand the solutions, dispel the myths and unlock the advantages, turning electrification into a real commercial opportunity.”