The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew 11.4% in October with 25,510 vehicle sold.
It was the seventh consecutive month of growth with year-to-date volumes up 4.8% to 276,885 registrations.
Battery electric van (BEV) uptake achieved its best ever October, up 58.0% to 3,369 registrations and a 12.9% market share – bolstering the year-to-date share at 11%.
This is less than half the 24% market share the government has demanded under the terms of its ZEV Mandate.
The SMMT described the performance in October as “significant” driven by more than 40 different zero emission models.
It said the government’s Plug-in Van Grant and Depot Charging Scheme have also provided essential support to buyers but, still, manufacturers have been forced to provide heavy discounts to avoid even more punitive ZEV Mandate compliance costs.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Seven months of new van market growth reflects a slight recovery in buyer confidence after 2025, but the fragility of this confidence makes the EV transition particularly tough to deliver.
“While electric van uptake is accelerating rapidly, demand remains far behind the optimistic and unrealistic expectations of the mandate.
“Government’s review must provide clear and meaningful trajectory change before the year ends, not marginal tinkering, to avoid damaging the market, and the businesses and economic growth which depend on this sector.
