Electric vans achieved a record share of the UK light commercial vehicle market in August, although the industry has warned that uptake remains well behind government targets.

New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 2,395 battery-electric LCVs were registered during the month, representing a 25.9% increase compared with August last year.

The growth gave electric vans a record 16.3% share of the market, up from 13% in August 2025.

However, August is traditionally a low-volume month as many operators postpone vehicle purchases ahead of September’s numberplate change, meaning relatively small movements in registrations can have a significant impact on market share.

Across the first eight months of 2026, 22,527 electric LCVs have been registered, with their year-to-date market share standing at 11%. That remains less than half the 24% headline target under the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.

The SMMT said higher upfront vehicle costs, inadequate charging provision and wider operating pressures continue to restrict demand, despite manufacturers offering an increasingly broad range of electric vans.

Commenting on the wider EV market, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said manufacturers were doing “everything it can to help drivers switch”, but warned that mandate targets needed to be “grounded in the reality of demand”.

Hawes welcomed the government’s decision to review the mandate, describing it as “the right move” to help keep the transition on track while protecting consumer choice, jobs and investment.

Overall LCV registrations increased 0.6% in August to 14,445 vehicles, marking the market’s fifth consecutive month of growth.