The UK’s new LCV market grew for the ninth month running in September, being driven forward by sales in the dominant 2.5–3.5t weight sector that contains medium vans.

In the plate-change month of September, registrations in this sector rose 13.0% to 29,150 units year-on-year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In the year to 30 September, they were up 11.1% to 174,142 units, accounting for 67% of the total market.

Medium vans peppered the top 10 sellers list in September with the all-conquering Ford Transit Custom at number one with 5,103 units shifted. The Vauxhall Vivaro (3,086), Volkswagen Transporter (2,385), Renault Trafic (2,075) and Peugeot Expert (1,589) also made the cut.

The Custom, Vivaro, Transporter and Trafic were also among the 10 best sellers over the first nine months of the year.

Deliveries of electric vans increased by 85.9% to 2,882 units in September, taking a market share of 6.4% and accounting for one in 16 new vans registered in the month.

Vauxhall is proud of its position as the UK’s pre-eminent e-LCV brand. It claims to have commanded 32.5% of the electric van market in September, with the Vivaro Electric leading the way with 854 registrations, bringing the year-to-date sales total for the model up to 4,065.

Vauxhall’s parent company Stellantis now offers customers an e-LCV incentive of £2,500 on compact and medium electric vans, including the Vauxhall Combo Electric and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric. It includes the installation of a free home Ohme or Free2Move wallbox, and £400 public charging credit with Octopus and is in addition to the government grant for electric vans, which is worth up to £5,000.  

The Vivaro Electric will face competition from Renault’s Trafic E-Tech when it arrives in the UK from May 2024. The E-Tech Trafic is powered by a 122hp electric motor, and has a range of up to 186 miles on the official WLTP combined cycle. The 52kWh battery can be recharged at up to 50kW with a DC charger. The model’s towing capacity is 920kg, and payload goes up to 1.1t. It is being offered in six configurations: three panel vans (L1H1, L2H1 and L2H2), two crew vans (L1H1 and L2H1) and a platform cab – although the latter will only be available from Renault Trucks. Panel van versions have a load volume of between 5.8m3 and 8.9m3, and a load length of up to 4.15m.  

Meanwhile, Ford has started production of the E-Transit Custom before its expected arrival in the UK in the second half of 2024.

Finally, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has secured a big fleet deal with housing association Abri, ordering 250 Volkswagen Transporter panel vans. The vehicles will be used for customer visits and in-house maintenance in 40,000 homes across the south of England. Among Abri’s requirements was a flexible shelving system to carry materials, tools and equipment for a variety of trades. The conversion to meet this need was developed jointly between Abri, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and TGS Automotive.

Calendar

Stellantis E-LCV grant September 2023

Renault Trafic E-Tech May 2024

Ford E-Transit Custom (est) September 2024