The UK’s Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) market ended 2024 on a subdued note, with December registrations falling by -8.3% compared to the previous year. Dealers and manufacturers registered 27,221 new vans and light commercials during the month, a drop attributed to efforts to meet Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) targets for the year. Despite the disappointing December, the annual performance of the LCV market remained slightly static. A total of 351,834 new LCVs were registered in 2024, representing a 3.0% increase from the 341,455 units recorded in 2023. Among vehicle categories, heavier LCV sectors experienced declines in December. Registrations of 2.0-2.5t vans fell by -4.1% to 4,704 units, while the most popular 2.5-3.5t vans dropped by -2.2% to 17,653 units. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) under 3.5t saw registrations increase by 10.4% in December to 3,271 units. For the full year, BEVs under 3.5t achieved modest growth of 1.3%, reaching 20,509 units and securing a 5.8% market share. BEV rigid vehicles over 3.5t captured a 0.5% market share, contributing to a combined BEV market share of 6.3% for 2024. Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), noted that all weight categories showed annual growth except for pickups and 4x4s, which suffered an -8.3% year-on-year decline and a sharp -28.1% drop in December. Robinson attributed this to the government’s removal of the user benefit-in-kind commercial dispensation set to take effect in April 2025. However, Robinson highlighted concerns about the ZEV mandate. BEVs accounted for 6.3% of the LCV market, falling short of the 10% target. With fines for non-compliance doubling from £9,000 to £18,000 in 2025, and the ZEV quota rising to 16%, she urged for more government support to facilitate the transition. On a brighter note, lightweight vans up to 2.0t showed robust growth, with a 44.5% year-to-date increase. These vehicles, commonly used in service industries, reflect growing confidence in certain economic sectors. Robinson welcomed the inclusion of vans in the government’s recent consultation on zero-emission vehicle policies, emphasising the need for tailored solutions. “The needs of van operators differ significantly from those of car users,” she said, calling for greater attention to on-street charging infrastructure to address the lack of home charging access for many van drivers.