The number of UK light commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered in the UK grew by 15% in May compared with last year, reaching 25,359 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It represents the fifth consecutive month of rising deliveries as the market rebounds from a tough 2022 as supply chain challenges continue to ease.
Registrations of the largest LCVs, weighing greater than 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes, rose by 8% to 17,173 units, representing 68% of new vans, while deliveries of medium-sized vans weighing more than 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes reached 4,143 units, up 57%. As fleet operators continue to opt for models with larger payloads, demand for small vans at or below 2.0 tonnes fell by -42%.
More businesses switched to zero emission powertrains, too, with the battery electric vehicle (BEV) market up 20% to 1,041 units. Rising demand means that 7,028 all-electric vans have been registered so far in 2023, an increase of over 15% on the same period last year.
Meanwhile, with the UK new car market registrations grew 17% in May to reach 145,204 units, marking 10 consecutive months of growth.
Large fleet registrations continued to drive the growth, up by 37% to 76,207 units, reflecting a regularisation of supply following challenging supply issues in 2022.
Alternatively powered vehicles continue to make up an ever-larger share of the market, with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) rising 23% to reach a 6% market share and hybrids (HEVs) growing 22% to comprise 12% of all registrations. May saw battery electric vehicles consolidate their position as the UK’s second most popular power train. A further 24,513 joined the road during the month, up 59% on May last year to secure a 17% market share.
