HGV demand dips in 2025 as nascent ZEV uptake grows

New heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations declined by -10.0% in 2025 with 40,504 new trucks joining UK roads, according to the latest data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The market contracted every quarter last year, reflecting a challenging economic backdrop and a normalising of fleet renewal after three years of sustained post-pandemic growth.1

The contraction included reduced demand for tractor units, down -4.4% to 17,758 units – albeit softened by 6.9% growth in the fourth quarter – to represent two-fifths (43.8%) of the market. The box van segment saw the largest volume decline, down -28.1% to 3,949 registrations. Conventionally lower volume demand for tipper and curtain-sided trucks also fell, by -11.1% and -26.2% to 3,076 and 2,820 units respectively. There was, however, some good news as demand for new refuse disposal trucks rose 22.6% to 2,459 registrations.

Also positively, new zero emission HGV uptake rose 170.5% year-on-year to reach 587 units – a new record boosted by a more than tripling in year-on-year demand in Q4, up 251.0% with 179 registrations. The UK has, as a result, surpassed the milestone of 1,000 new zero emission truck registrations – success driven by impressive product rollout, with 21 different models across a range of use cases registered last year, and enhanced public grants.2

However, with zero emission trucks representing just one in every 71 (1.4%) new registrations, the market is still at the very beginning of early adoption. Operators face tight margins and uncertainty on how to integrate zero emission vehicles into their fleets, especially given delays of up to 15 years for depot-to-grid connections, which poses a major disincentive.3

An improved Plug-in Truck Grant and the new Depot Charging Scheme announced last July will help more operators to switch, but they cannot commit to investment without the guarantee of timely infrastructure delivery. Prioritising road transport depots for grid connections is essential, therefore, with the same fast-tracked planning processes as data centres, wind farms and solar projects able to give more early adopters the clarity and confidence they need to transition.