The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market rose by 6.8% in April with 21,716 vehicles registered.
The strong performance was set against a weak April last year which was hit by tax changes.
Demand for pickups slumped again, down -57.4% to 1,166 units, rounding off volume declines in 11 of the past 12 months.
This was a direct result of last April’s fiscal changes to treat double cabs as cars for Benefit in Kind purposes.
The SMMT said the BIK measure is heaping additional costs on crucial business sectors such as farming and construction.
Industry continues to urge government to reverse the measure and unlock investment in the latest, increasingly zero emission models – getting older and more polluting vehicles off the road while boosting Treasury tax receipts.
More positively, demand for battery electric vans (BEVs) grew strongly following a decline in March, up 44.7% with 2,439 registrations in April.
At an 11.1% market share, however, BEV adoption represented less than half the 24% share mandated for 2026.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive called for investment in EV infrastructure and a reversal of the BIK on double cabs.
“April’s improved market is welcome news, despite a tough economic environment. New LCV investment drives growth and decarbonisation, but must be sustained by investment in public and depot BEV infrastructure – and a reversal of BIK on double cabs – to build momentum for fleet renewal that cuts emissions and boosts business.”
