HGV market grows but electric truck sales slump
UK registrations of new electric zero-emission trucks (ZEVs) halved in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the same period the previous year, according to recent figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
While Q3 did enjoy a surge in ZEV registrations in 2025, when uptake quadrupled, the drop-off in the same period of 2026 is nonetheless part of a continuing trend according to the trade body, which said: “ZEV demand is down 30.9 per cent in the year to date with just a 1.0 per cent market share, demonstrating the considerable challenge of accelerating uptake despite a significant choice of models.
“The capital investment needed both to acquire vehicles and develop the depot infrastructure to support them remains a significant barrier, only in part lowered through government support from the Plug-in Truck Grant and Depot Charging Scheme.
“A national infrastructure strategy is also crucial to grow operator confidence, alongside a multi-technology approach to CO2 reduction – vital given the vast variety of use cases for HGVs.”
In contrast the overall truck market was healthy, with Q3 of 2026 showing an increase of 7.2 per cent to reach 9,941 units. It was the first quarter of growth for the market since the second quarter of 2024, SMMT said, and the best performance since 2023’s third quarter.
“Uptake reflects the cyclical nature of HGV investment but is also flattered by comparison with the same period last year when registrations fell -14.5 per cent. Despite the growth, the overall market remains -3.8 per cent down year to date,” the SMMT cautioned.
Compared to Q3 2025, demand for artics was up 11.2 per cent in the last quarter, and rigids by a more modest 4.1 per cent. Refuse disposal vehicles saw strong growth of 31.5 per cent, as did tippers, up 19.1 per cent. Curtain-sided trucks were also up 8.4 per cent, but box vans continued to decline, down 11.8 per cent.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the recovery in new HGV registrations was a “welcome boost” for the sector following two years of declining demand. But he warned that the drop in zero-emission registrations “underlines the volatility and fragility of the transition in a sector with complex operating requirements”. Accelerating decarbonisation, he said, would “require action on all fronts”.
