September delivers ‘impressive’ growth for electric van market
Electric van registrations jumped by 41% in September, marking a new record high for the segment.
A total of 4,262 pure-electric vans were registered around the UK last month as the electric market bucked the wider industry trend.
The latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that the UK’s overall LCV market fell by 2% compared with September 2024. That was the smallest decline so far this year but came during the always busy new numberplate month.
Year-to-date, electric van registrations are up almost 56% compared with 2024 and 22,118 vans have been registered so far in 2025. They now account for 9.1% of all new van registrations, which SMMT bosses described as “impressive” growth in a “tough” year.
However, they warned that the figure was still a long way short of the targeted 16% market share set out in the ZEV Mandate.
The SMMT said that the extension of the Plug-in Van Grant until 2027, along with the recently announced Depot Charging Scheme would help operators switch. It also pointed to the growing range of options, with more than 40 electric vans from established names such as Stellantis, Ford and Toyota as well as newcomers such as Farizon.
It warned, however, that businesses still needed direct and indirect support to aid their transition.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, commented: “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.”
The SMMT called for more action to give small and large-scale operators confidence that electric vans were suitable for their business. It demanded more van-suitable charging infrastructure at public, on-street and overnight locations. It also called for “urgent priority” for planning approval for chargers, warning that some depots face grid connection waits of up to 15 years.
