As fleets begin the process of phasing out diesel HGVs, the change in direction for sales is starting to accelerate.
In the third quarter of the year, new registrations of diesel HGVs were down 14.5%, while the uptake of zero-emission trucks has quadrupled.
Think EV first
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that as sustainable fleet renewal starts to become the norm, 9,272 new trucks entered service in the UK in the third quarter — a drop of 14.5% — while a record 225 EV trucks were registered in the same period — a 341.2% increase.
The SMMT — one of the UK’s most-influential trade associations — found there were fewer deliveries across all truck types except refuse collection vehicles. And, interestingly, tractor bodies still represent two-fifths of the market.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “New HGV uptake continues to normalise amid a tough economic backdrop so while another quarter of decline is unsurprising, returning to growth is important to keep businesses moving via the very latest, greenest models.
“Industry continues to invest significantly in zero emission rollout, and rising operator uptake is positive – but more substantial volume growth depends on infrastructure rollout. Fast-tracking depot grid connections, in particular, is critical to help operators plan and invest – and for manufacturers to continue delivering the green growth Britain needs.”
Records
The SMMT found that zero-emission truck uptake more than quadruples in Q3 to reach record volume and record 2.4% share, with 225 registrations.
With figures showing the continual decrease in the number of diesel HGV registrations, SMMT said: “The market’s fifth consecutive quarterly fall, with the market down -12.5% in 2025 to date, comes amid a challenging economic backdrop – but also reflects the natural ebb and flow of fleet renewal cycles following three years of sustained post-pandemic growth.
“The contraction included reduced demand for tractor units, down by -2.2% to 3,966 units – but still representing two-fifths (42.8%) of the market – while the box van segment saw the largest volume decline, down 38.7% to 899 units.
“The conventionally lower-volume tipper and curtain-sided segments also fell, by 10.1% and 38.1% to 712 and 606 units respectively.”
Although it represents the market’s smallest segment in the top five, SMMT found that demand for new refuse trucks was up 9.5% to 578 vehicles.
New direction
As the drive towards net zero continues, it seems fleets are starting to change course.
SMMT said: “More positively, new zero-emission HGV uptake continues to rise, quadrupling by 341.2% to 225 units in Q3, a new record volume, and also achieving record 2.4% market share.
“The significant quarterly demand has driven year-to-date ZEV volumes to 408 units, up 145.8% compared with the same period in 20242 – a significant achievement which reflects Britain’s position as Europe’s second largest zero emission HGV market by volume.
“The success has been driven by impressive product rollout with more than two dozen models now available covering a wide range of operator needs, and the market could grow faster with the right support.”
It noted that one of the biggest obstacles was access to ZEV charging and refuelling infrastructure, with waits of up to 15 years for depot-based operators to be connected to the grid.
SMMT welcomed the government’s Depot Charging Scheme announced in July to help more operators fund the switch but felt HGV depots needed to be prioritised.
“With a clear route toward ZEV and infrastructure investment, operators who already face tight margins will be more confident to decarbonise their fleet which is fundamental to the country’s Net Zero ambitions.”
