SMMT urges political parties to strengthen commercial vehicle decarbonisation support
Ahead of party conference season, SMMT says electric van uptake hit a record 16.3% share in August but remains below the 2026 mandate level, while HGV registrations fell and zero emission trucks stayed around 1% of the market.
SMMT has published a statement calling for commercial vehicles to be treated as a central part of the political debate as parties head into conference season, arguing that vans and HGVs represent "an opportunity to strengthen productivity, drive competitiveness and support skilled jobs in every region" rather than a niche transport issue.
The trade body said conference commitments needed to go further, calling for faster grid connections, long-term certainty on vehicle and depot support, pragmatic regulation for decarbonisation, and coordinated public charging for the heaviest vehicles.
SMMT backed its call with registration data showing new van registrations up 4.0% in the first eight months of 2026, with August marking a fifth consecutive month of growth. Electric van uptake reached a record 16.3% share of the market that month, which SMMT said showed demand can accelerate when products and incentives align. Across the year to date, however, electric vans accounted for just 11.0% of registrations – still less than half the 2026 mandated level.
The picture was starker for heavy goods vehicles. UK HGV registrations fell 8.9% in the first half of 2026, and zero emission trucks accounted for around 1% of registrations in the second quarter, despite what SMMT described as manufacturers developing capable product ranges.
SMMT said government support for zero emission vans, HGVs and charging infrastructure had been welcome, pointing to the ZEHID programme, the Depot Charging Scheme and plug-in grants.
Sources
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