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The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market rose for the sixth consecutive month in September, up 4.8% with 49,704 vans, pickups and 4x4s joining the road, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Often a bumper month with the introduction of the new number plate, September saw the highest monthly volume of 2026 – exceeding March, which is typically the market’s biggest month of the year.
Large vans delivered the biggest volume growth, up 11.1% to 36,302 units, while medium and small van uptake rose by 2.2% and 13.2% to 7,304 and 1,361 units respectively. The biggest percentage growth came with 4×4 demand more than tripling (221.3%) to 2,079 units, driven by bumper fleet orders. Pickup demand continued to decline, more than halving (-53.8%) to 2,658 units.
September saw new battery electric van (BEV) uptake rise by 13.4% to reach a record 4,832 units. The SMMT reports there are more than 40 different BEV models currently available, with many supported by the Plug-in Van Grant and capable of meeting the needs of many fleet operators.
Meanwhile, the UK new car market also increased in September, with registrations up 12% to 350,536 units. The result marks a tenth consecutive month of growth and the strongest September since 2017. The plate-change month is one of the year’s most important, typically accounting for around one in seven annual registrations.
Growth was recorded across all sales types. Fleet registrations rose 9.6% to 190,998 units, representing 54.5% of the market, while private demand increased 13.9% to 149,166 units and a 42.6% share. Registrations by the smaller business sector grew 37.3% to 10,372 units.
Electrified vehicles helped power growth, taking a record 58.4% of registrations. Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) uptake dipped -4.3% reducing market share to 13.1%, but plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations surged 55.5% to take a record volume and share at 17%.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) demand, climbed 36.3% to a record high volume of 99,201 units with market share up five percentage points to 28.3%. That equates to almost five new BEVs registered every minute – more than double the rate three years ago.
