October saw a -15.1% drop in new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations with 22,896 units delivered, according to new SMMT published this week. The downturn affected all van sizes, including the largest vans – which represent more than 70% of the overall market – while battery electric vans (BEVs) also saw their first year-on-year fall in over a year, by -5.8%.
Despite a volume fall, the BEV share did rise in October, however, by 0.8 percentage points, reflecting the steeper contraction across the wider market – compared with robust BEV uptake across 2025 to date, up 47.4% on last year. BEVs now account for 9.1% of the market, which is a significant achievement thanks to manufacturers investing heavily in zero emission model rollout, but it still remains well below the mandated 16% share for 2025.
This year’s policy developments can help the sector to decarbonise in line with market realities, including the decision to allow sales of new non-zero emission and plug-in hybrid vans until 2035, the continuation of the Plug-in Van Grant, the launch of the Depot Charging Scheme, and proposals to streamline planning for private charger installations.
Timely implementation is needed, however, while planning reform can go further, to fast-track grid connections for operators that depend on depot-based charging infrastructure, but which face lengthy installation delays.
Industry is investing to deliver a massive range of products – with more than 40 different zero emission models available to choose from – but fast and coordinated policy support will be essential to keep Britain’s EV ambitions on track.
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