Van sales down but electric models are up by 41 per cent

The modest drop continues 2025’s downward trend, with registrations down 9.8% year to date, reflecting a tough economic environment and weak business confidence. The performance, however, is the smallest decline this year and still remains above pre-pandemic levels, providing a key positive in one of the market’s busiest months – as van manufacturers continue to invest heavily to bring cutting-edge, zero emission models to market.

Segment performance was mixed, with the overall decline softened by a rise in deliveries of the largest vans, up 3.2% to 32,670 units – the largest segment by volume, representing almost seven in 10 (68.9%) registrations. Demand for new pickups and the smallest sized vans also grew, up 7.8% and 1.9% to 5,749 and 1,202 units respectively, as previous new pickup orders were delivered before government’s new fiscal measures on double-cabs are applied to orders placed after April. Medium-sized van uptake fell, by 25.1% to 7,150 units, while 4x4 uptake declined by 13.4% to 647 units.

New electric van (EV) registrations continued their strong upward trajectory, rising 41.1% year-on-year to 4,262 units – the most ever recorded in a single month, achieving a market share of 8.9%. Year-to-date BEV volumes now stand at 22,118 units, up 55.9% on 2024 to represent 9.1% of all new registrations. It is impressive growth in a tough year for the overall market, but still well below the 16% share mandated for 2025. Manufacturers are driving that growth, investing heavily in electric van models with more than 40 options now available to fleet operators.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “September is one of the busiest months for the new van market so a slight dip in volumes compared with previous strong years is disappointing but unsurprising. The growth in electric van uptake is hugely encouraging, but the market is under pressure to deliver the investment necessary for decarbonisation. Manufacturers are delivering a huge choice of models to suit all businesses – now we need better dedicated infrastructure and continuing incentives to drive the switch.”