The sale of new electric light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations rose for a third month this June, up 23.2% to take an 11.5% market share, according to the latest SMMT data.
In the first half of the year, the market share from electric vans has increased from 8.6% to 9.9%.
Demand, however, remains well below the 24% share mandated this year – a target that would require uptake to average some 40% market share, four times its current level, over the next six months. Such growth under current conditions is implausible.
The SMMT warns that market assumptions underpinning the mandate no longer reflect economic or industrial realities, saying that urgent reform is therefore needed to keep decarbonisation on track while supporting investment, preserving customer choice and safeguarding UK competitiveness.
Overall the sale of new light commercial vehicles across all powertrains rose 12.2% in June to 31,602 units,
The June uplift was driven primarily by demand for larger vans. Registrations of vans weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes increased 12.6% to 21,951 units in the month, while medium-sized vans rose 62.1% to 6,795 units. 4×4 registrations grew by 20.8%, but vans weighing less than 2.0 tonnes declined by -19.3%.
Pickup demand continued to decline, falling -57.6% to 1,167 units and now representing just 3.7% of the total market, versus 9.8% a year ago.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "The market’s return to growth is encouraging, but it comes against a backdrop of lower volumes and significant market disruption over the past 18 months, not least the sharp fall in pickup demand after tax changes.
"While businesses continue to invest in new vans, zero emission uptake remains well below ambition, holding back the fleet renewal needed to deliver net zero. A successful transition requires regulation, infrastructure and incentives to work together, giving operators the confidence to invest. With the gap between targets and demand continuing to widen, urgent reform of the mandate is needed to keep the transition on track."
