Electric van sales surge over 40% in 2025

Sales of electric vans have surged 40.3% to 7,092 units in the first three months of 2025, according to latest figures from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders). The news comes as demand for vans is weakening, with overall LCV registrations declining 10.2% to 85,349 during the same period.

The news from the SMMT marks a positive start to the year for electric vans, following a disappointing 2024 where market share stagnated at 6.3%. So far this year, electric vans comprise 8.3% of total LCV registrations.

The Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG) remains fundamental to supporting current levels of operator uptake, however, current levels are little more than half the 16% zero emission market share which government has mandated for 2025 (ZEV Mandate).

“Vans, pick-ups and 4x4s are critical for business operations across the UK so four months of falling investment is concerning and reflects weak confidence, with further constraints set to impact the pick-up segment”, commented Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.

“It is positive, however, that electric uptake continues to rise thanks to growing model choice. Even so, with demand still well below 2025 ambitions, suitably bold plans for infrastructure rollout and workable regulation are needed to grow operator confidence and the investment that is needed.”

The SMMT argues that, despite there being 33 different electric vans to choose from (over half of all LCV models), the lack of charging infrastructure is to blame for the ZEV mandate shortfall.

In their statement, they remarked that “the breadth of choice is in stark contrast, however, with the paucity of van-dedicated public chargepoints, which is undermining fleet confidence in the commercial viability of going electric”.

Collectively, the Stellantis brands currently lead electric van sales, with their brands (Vauxhall, Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat Professional) making up 35.6% of all electric van registrations in 2024.