The latest SMMT figures show that electric van registrations rose 26.0% to 1,844 units in January 2026, taking a market share of 10.4%.

The SMMT warns, however, that demand would have to more than double to meet the mandated target of 24% in 2026.

Overall, registrations of vans fell by -7.8% in January with 17,562 light commercial vehicles joining UK roads. This is the weakest start to a year since 2012’s 16,049 registrations, with the SMMT saying it reflects a tough economic environment, with weak business confidence constraining fleet investment.

The latest industry outlook for 2026 has been revised downwards, with 321,000 units expected to be delivered this year – still a 1.9% increase on 2025, but a significant softening from the 335,000 anticipated in the previous October outlook. Similarly, while the latest BEV outlook expects more than 50% growth this year, the market share has been revised down to 13.1%, from the 14.0% share expected in the last outlook.

The SMMT says that clarity is urgently needed on the timing, scale and conditions of support beyond April this year when the plug-in van grant ends. The new Depot Charging Scheme and proposed planning reform for private charger installations will help the transition, but further action is necessary given critical barriers remain, including stubbornly high energy costs, a paucity of van-suitable public charging, and lengthy waiting times for depot-to-grid connections.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive: "January’s decline in new van uptake reflects ongoing economic and fiscal conditions which are limiting demand, particularly for pickups, as industry had warned. Rising EV uptake is encouraging but delivering the UK’s world-leading ambition is coming at huge cost to industry amid overall market contraction. With an even steeper 2026 target that is further still from real-world demand, government’s review of the transition must come urgently, recognising additional action is needed to deliver on ambition."