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The HGV market appears to have recovered from the effects of the pandemic and supply chain problems, with demand for trucks increasing by 17.1% in the first three months of 2023.

SMMT figures showed that high demand from haulage, construction and distribution sectors, coupled with the easing of global supply chain disruption, means that the market is now just 2.9% below Q1 2019, with 11,517 HGVs registered.

New rigid models entering in service rose by 17.3% to 5,838 units, which the SMMT said represented the highest Q1 demand since 2019 and newly registered artics increased by 16.8% to 5,679 units.

Tractors increased by 15.7% to 5,585; 1,079 new box vans were registered and registrations of new tippers increased by 6.8%.

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Curtainsiders increased by 34.5% and dropside trucks by 38.8%.

However, the figures also revealed that electric and hydrogen HGVs represented just 0.3% of the market.

The SMMT said that as there was still not a single HGV-dedicated public charging or hydrogen refuelling station in the UK, and with the sale of new non-ZEV trucks under 26 tonnes due to end in 2035, further measures were required for operators to make the switch.

Mike Hawes, SMMT CE, said: “For truck fleet renewal to drive UK economic growth and decarbonisation in the long term, the zero emission HGV market must gather speed – but operators still need greater certainty that Britain is serious about becoming a globally competitive location for zero emission logistics.

“With an abundance of new electric and hydrogen truck models now ready to join UK roads, a plan is urgently needed to deliver HGV-dedicated public infrastructure, along with incentives for net zero vehicle and depot investments that contend with the world’s major decarbonising nations.”      

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