New registrations of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in the UK fell sharply in November, dropping 22.2% year-on-year to 23,570 units, according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The decline continues a weak year for fleet renewal, with registrations for the first 11 months of 2025 down 11.4% compared with the same period last year.
The market contracted across almost every segment. Registrations of large vans – which make up nearly 70% of the LCV market – fell 19.7% to 16,463 units. Medium vans declined 20.5%, while small vans saw the steepest drop at –53.8%. Demand for pickups continued to slump, falling 34.8% following fiscal changes that treat double-cab pickups as cars for benefit-in-kind and capital allowance purposes.
Rigid-bodied vehicles in the 3.5–6 tonne bracket were the only segment to grow, with registrations up 202.6%, driven by non-BEV models.
Electric vans return to growth but remain far behind government targets
Battery electric vans (up to 4.25t) bucked November’s downward trend, with registrations rising 25.3% to 2,909 units. EVs accounted for 12.3% of the monthly market — the highest share so far this year.
Year-to-date BEV registrations total 27,159 units, up 44.7% on 2024. However, the 9.4% EV share remains substantially below the 16% zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate target for 2025. The mandated threshold will rise to 24% in 2026.
Manufacturers continue to cite barriers including:
- higher upfront costs of BEVs,
- long waits for depot grid connections,
- limited public charging suitable for vans.
Government measures such as the extension of the Plug-in Van Grant and the new Depot Charging Scheme have been welcomed, but industry leaders say they are not coming fast enough to support operators planning 2026 fleet procurement.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes warned that weaker LCV uptake “highlights weak economic confidence”, adding that slower fleet renewal is delaying progress towards decarbonisation.
Fiscal changes hit UK pickup market
The government decision earlier this year to classify double-cab pickups as cars for tax purposes continues to reshape the market. November deliveries fell 34.8%, the second consecutive steep monthly decline.
Industry groups argue that the change penalises essential service sectors that rely on pickups for utility work, and may delay replacement cycles, keeping older and more polluting vehicles in operation.
Top-selling LCV models in November
The Ford Transit Custom remained the UK’s best-selling van in November with 3,926 registrations, followed by the Ford Transit and the Volkswagen Transporter. The Ford Ranger led the pickup category.
Top 10 van models in the UK, November 2025 – SMMT
Rolling-year registrations fall to 314,949
The rolling 12-month total for UK van registrations stands at 314,949, down from peaks seen during the post-pandemic recovery period. The trend reflects continued weak business confidence, tight margins, and delays in fleet procurement across many industries
UK van registration, rolling year totals, November 2019 to date – SMMT
Full November segment performance
New LCV registrations, 2025 November – SMMT
The segment breakdown shows a market under sustained pressure, with declines across almost all traditional LCV categories. Operators appear to be delaying investment in core workhorses such as medium and large vans, while demand at the smaller end of the market has weakened sharply. Heavy rigids stand out as the exception, suggesting shifting operational needs or delayed replacement cycles in specialist sectors.
The month’s fuel split reinforces the wider trend: diesel’s contraction remains pronounced, while BEV volumes are recovering and other alternative powertrains continue to gain incremental traction. The overall picture is one of cautious procurement strategies and a market gradually rebalancing its fuel mix.
Fuel mix shifts: diesel down, electric up, 2025 November – image by SMMT
