Electric van uptake grows 50% in May

The latest figures from the SMMT show that demand for battery electric vans (BEVs) grew 50% to 1,731 units in May, which is the seventh successive month of rising demand.

Despite this, zero emission vans represented just 7.6% of the overall market in May and 8.2% in the year to date – half the 16% share mandated for 2025.

Overall, the UK’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market fell by -11.8% in May with 22,796 LCVs joining the road. This marks the lowest May performance since 2022 and rounds off the sixth consecutive month of decline.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive: "Six months of declining new van demand reflects a tough economic environment and weak business confidence – and that won’t be helped by punitive taxes such as on double-cabs that will only restrict wider growth.

"Fleet renewal with the latest, cleanest models must be encouraged so it’s positive that zero emission van uptake is rising, but with market share at just half the mandated level, it’s clear we need action to drive that uptake faster. Accelerating LCV-centric and affordable chargepoint rollout is the bold next step that van operators and manufacturers need now."