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The first half of 2025 has seen a significant shift in the UK's light commercial vehicle (LCV) market, with a notable overall decline in new registrations and a sharp rise in electric van adoption.
The total LCV market contracted by 12.1%, falling to 156,048 units registered, marking the weakest performance since 2022. This downturn was driven mostly by falling demand in medium and large vans (2.5 to 3.5 tonnes) and 4x4 vans, while small vans increased by 30.7% but not enough to offset the overall downturn.
In terms of electric van uptake, registrations of battery-electric vans surged by 53% to 13,512 units in H1 2025. June's registrations jumped nearly 97% compared to last year. The market now offers around 40 electric van models, an increase from 28 models in H1 2024, reflecting manufacturers' growing investment in zero-emission LCVs.
Despite this rapid growth, electric vans accounted for only about 8.6% of the overall LCV market in H1 2025, which remains significantly below the UK government’s 16% zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate target for the year. This gap highlights the challenges of broader EV adoption, including infrastructure and cost barriers, alongside the ongoing dominance of diesel vehicles in commercial fleets.
The decline in conventional van registrations alongside rising electric van numbers reflects a market under economic pressure with weak business confidence, even as the push toward electrification accelerates.
In the used market, volumes of 4x4 Pickup sales accounted for 11.3% of the total sales, with the highest average sale price at £13,434. Medium-sized vans continued to be the most desirable in the used market, accounting for 40.1% of sales, followed by small vans with 25.8% and large vans with 22.8%. The used-van market saw an increase in sales during March due to a good balance of stock and positive buyer activity, with average sales prices increasing over the month.
The Ford E-Transit Custom accounted for 18.7% of all new electric van registrations, followed by the VW ID. Buzz Cargo with 16.4%, the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric with 11.9%, the Vauxhall Combo Electric with 9.3%, and the Nissan Townstar EV with 7.8%. In March, Vauxhall accounted for 23.1% of all new BEV LCV registrations, followed by Ford with 22.7%, Volkswagen with 15%, Nissan with 7.4%, and Toyota with 7.1%.
The market for vans between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes GVW saw the biggest drop, with a 10% decrease. On the other hand, the demand for vans under 2 tonnes GVW saw registrations increase for the 13th successive month, up 60.8%.
The UK's new LCV market dropped for the fourth consecutive month in March, with a total of 51,221 new LCVs, pickups, and chassis variants registered, down 3.2% year on year. This sector registered 32,025 new units, which was 3,567 fewer deliveries than in March 2024.
In the year to date, 2,905 hybrid LCVs have been registered, with Ford accounting for 65.5% of the market. In the PHEV van market, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, and LEVC registered 1,635 units combined in March. Ford registered 817 Transit Custom PHEVs and 385 Transit Connect PHEVs.
Of the vehicles sold at auction, 76% were Euro 6, while Euro 5 stock accounted for 22.3%. Renault took sixth place with 2.2%, Mercedes-Benz seventh with 5.3%, Peugeot eighth with 4.9%, Maxus ninth with 4.3%, and Citroen tenth with 2%.
In summary, the UK’s LCV market is currently shrinking in total volume, but electric van adoption is rapidly increasing, albeit from a low base, and still falls short of ambitious governmental targets. The sector faces challenges including the need for expanded charging infrastructure and industry incentives to boost electric van demand further.
In the first half of 2025, the casino-and-gambling industry might take a backseat as businesses grapple with economic pressures and weak business confidence, possibly leading to decreased spending on leisure activities such as gambling. The shift towards electrification in the LCV market, with the growing number of electric vans like the Ford E-Transit Custom and VW ID. Buzz Cargo, mirrors the approach taken by organizations aiming to reduce emissions and meet sustainability targets, much like a casino adopting eco-friendly practices to improve its green image.
