Electric van sales hit record 4,832 in September, still short of target

UK businesses and drivers registered a record 4,832 battery electric vans in September 2026, up 13.4% on a year earlier, but they took only 9.6% of the new van market. Year to date the electric share is 10.8%, less than half the 24% that the ZEV mandate requires of manufacturers this year (SMMT). For van buyers, the gap matters because it shapes both discounts and the policy debate over the 2030 target.

What did the September van figures show?

The whole van market grew. New light commercial vehicle registrations reached 49,704, up 4.8%, the highest month of 2026 and the sixth month of growth in a row (AM Online). Pick-up buyers also have a new plug-in hybrid option in the BYD Shark, now priced for the UK.

Measure	September 2026
Battery electric van registrations	4,832
Change on September 2025	Up 13.4%
Battery electric share, September	9.6%
Battery electric share, year to date	10.8%
ZEV mandate target for 2026	24%
Total new van registrations	49,704 (up 4.8%)
Plug-in hybrid vans, year-on-year change	Up more than 45%
Plug-in hybrid share, September	7.9%

Source: SMMT, AM Online.

A bigger overall market helps explain the low share. Electric vans grew by 13.4%, which is more than the market’s 4.8%, but a larger total pulls the percentage down. August is the contrast: electric vans reached a record 16.3% share, but in a low-volume month (Business Motoring). September’s big month dragged the year-to-date figure back down (Broker News).

Why are electric van sales below target?

SMMT says demand is less than half the mandated level even though fuel prices are high, and it points to three barriers: higher purchase costs, delays to grid connections and too few chargers suited to vans. It credits the Plug-in Van Grant and the more than 40 fully electric models now on sale for the record volume.

Each barrier hits a different buyer. A sole trader weighs the price gap against a diesel van. A fleet with a depot waits on the grid. A tradesperson without a driveway needs public chargers that fit a long van, and our electric vans for sole traders guide covers the practical options.

What is the Plug-in Van Grant worth?

The grant, now called the Plug-in Van and Truck Grant, remains open in the 2026/27 financial year. Parkers reports that vans up to 2.5 tonnes can receive up to £2,500 and vans between 2.5 and 4.25 tonnes up to £5,000, with eligible vehicles needing a minimum zero-emission range (Parkers). The Department for Transport has said 2026/27 rates will be confirmed in due course, so check the current rate before you order. Our list of vans eligible for the Plug-in Van Grant shows which models qualify, and the best electric vans for fleets compares them.

Ask the dealer to show the grant on your quote, and combine it with the tax benefits for electric van businesses to see the full cost.

Why are plug-in hybrid vans growing faster?

Plug-in hybrid vans and pickups rose more than 45% year on year and took 7.9% of the market in September, nearly as much as the 9.6% for fully electric vans (AM Online). SMMT lists them under “others”, and most are believed to be plug-in hybrids.

Our reading is that buyers choose them to avoid a depot upgrade or charging worries, which are the barriers SMMT names. They run on petrol or diesel once the battery is flat, so the running-cost case is weaker than for a fully electric van, and they are not zero-emission vans, so they sit outside the electric share. Our hybrid vs full electric comparison sets out the trade-off.

What happens next?

The Government is consulting on lowering the 2030 van target from 70%, with options at 60%, 50% and 40%. We explain them in our van target consultation report. Responses close on 23 October.

What this means for you

A record month does not mean cheap vans, but it shows the market is growing. With the electric share at 10.8% against a 24% target, manufacturers have a reason to push electric van sales, and that can help you negotiate. Our ZEV mandate discounts report covers how that works for cars.

If you can charge at a depot or home, price the grant into the quote and compare running costs with your diesel. If you cannot charge at base, a plug-in hybrid may suit a mixed duty cycle, but check how often you could plug in before paying the extra.