Registrations of new light CVs plummeted by more than a fifth last month amid weak business confidence and tough economic conditions, according to the SMMT.
Latest figures showed that there were 23,570 vans, pickups and 4x4s registered, a 22.2% fall from the previous month and 11.4% fewer than in November 2024.
However, registrations of new battery electric vans continued to grow, up 25.3% to 2,909 units and accounting for 12.3% of the overall market.
The SMMT said growth in this segment had been impressive across the year and was up 44.7% compared with the same period last year, with 27,159 registrations.
Despite this, the year-to-date BEV market share stands at 9.4% – a significant distance behind the 16% share mandated by government for 2025.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Lacklustre light commercial vehicle uptake highlights weak economic confidence, and slower fleet renewal means slower decarbonisation.
“While it is encouraging that zero emission van uptake is rising, the pace of change severely lags behind government ambition, and every lever must be pulled to support demand and protect industry investment – both of which are essential to our shared net zero goals.”
Matt Hawkins, head of van manufacturer Flexis UK & Ireland, said 2025 had been a standout year for electric LCVs: “This strong year-on-year performance – set against wider market uncertainty and a marked decline in overall CV registrations – underlines how businesses are increasingly recognising the operational, cost and environmental advantages of going electric,” he said.
“We are now in peak season for e-commerce and those benefits matter more than ever. Mass adoption is still being held back by complex infrastructure challenges and a lack of clarity from government.”
