UK demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew by 2% in February to 17,934 units. It marks 14 months of consecutive growth, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). While February is traditionally a lower volume month, as many operators delay procurement until March for the new numberplate, the increase represents the best February performance since 1998.
The trend for larger units continues, with registrations of vans weighing greater than 2.5 tonnes rising to 12,300 units and representing almost 70% of all new vans. Deliveries of small vans weighing up to and including 2.0 tonnes, and medium-sized vans weighing 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes, both saw declines, falling by -21% and -6% respectively.
The smaller volume 4×4 segment saw registrations more than double, rising by 108%, while pickups were the third most popular class of commercial vehicle, with registrations up 21%.
With each manufacturer now mandated to achieve a minimum proportion of zero emission registrations every year, February saw a decline in registrations of battery electric vans weighing up to 3.5 tonnes, falling by 119 units to 847 units, and down on market share from a year ago.
Addresssing this imbalance is a key reason for the Zero Emission Van Plan, which was launched last month.
The UK new car market has recorded its best February performance for two decades as registrations rose 14% to 84,886 units.
It was the nineteenth month of consecutive growth, which has primarily been driven by fleets investing in the latest vehicles. Fleets and businesses were responsible for the entirety of February’s increase, with registrations up 25% and 16% respectively. Private uptake shows a -3% decline to record a 34% market share.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) rose by 12% and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) recorded the largest proportional growth for the month, rising 29% to reach 7% of the market. Battery electric vehicle uptake rose by 22% to account for 18% of registrations, an improvement on last year’s 16.5%. The increase is sustained by fleets, with private buyers accounting for 18% of new BEVs registered in 2024 so far.
