UK new LCV registrations were up by 8.5% year-on-year in September, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has reported.
A total of 48,455 registrations was the highest seen in the crucial plate-change month for four years.
However, electric LCV registrations were down by 0.5%, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline, and contributing to a fall of 7.7% for the year to date.
In terms of market segments, registrations of vans weighing 2.5-3.5t were up by 8.6%, with 31,567 registered, accounting for 65.3% of the overall market.
Vans weighing 2.0-2.5t were up by 34.8% to 9,553, and vans weighing less than 2.0t were up by 34.1% to 1,180.
However, pick-up truck registrations were down by 16%, to 5,331, and 4x4s were down by 42.4%, to 747.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Growing overall demand for new vans is encouraging as the sector, a barometer of the UK economy’s health, continues to recover post Covid. But while manufacturers have invested huge sums delivering zero emission technology and incentivising its sale, consistently low demand is constraining industry from meeting Britain’s ambitious zero emission vehicles sales mandates.
“For van fleets to go green at pace they need the immediate encouragement – and long-term certainty – of fiscal incentives and van-specific charging infrastructure.
“Without these, UK decarbonisation ambitions cannot be achieved at the world-leading speed demanded by regulation.”
The Ford Transit Custom took its regular place at the top of the new LCV sales chart in September with 7,570 registrations, ahead of the Ford Transit with 4,518, and the Ford Ranger with 2,980.
Completing the top ten were the Volkswagen Transporter (2,778 registrations), Peugeot Partner (2,313), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2,248), Renault Trafic (2,247), Vauxhall Combo (2,159), Vauxhall Vivaro (2,093), and Citroen Berlingo (1,829).
