New light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations are down by -12.1% in the first half of 2025, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
With a -14.8% drop in June, the market declined for the seventh consecutive month, rounding off the worst opening half-year performance since 2022. Year-to-date performance was led by declining demand for large and medium sized vans, however there was growth in demand for small vans, up 30.7% and pickups, up 10%.
Manufacturers continue to invest in zero emission LCVs and there are now almost 40 different battery electric van (BEV) models to choose from – up from 28 in the first half of last year. The market is responding, with BEV demand up 52.8% and 13,512 units registered in 2025, but still representing just 8.6% of the overall market.
Meanwhile, the UK’s new car market grew for the second consecutive month in June, as registrations rose 6.7%. It was the best June since 2019, helping lift first half performance 3.5% above the same period last year, although the market remains -17.9% behind pre-Covid levels.
Registrations of vehicles with plugs rose strongly as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) jumped 39.1% to 47,354 units, equivalent to a quarter (24.8%) of the market, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) grew 28.8% to 21,382 units. The market for new hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), meanwhile, fell by -8.5% to 23,835 registrations.
Across the first six months of 2025 new BEV registrations have risen 34.6% to 224,841 units but, at 21.6% market share.
More information on the SMMT website: Automotive Industry News UK - SMMT.
