UK light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations rose 6.8% in April to 21,716 units, driven by large vans, while pickup demand continued to fall sharply.
Performance across other segments was mixed. Medium vans fell 20.0% to 3,476 units, while small vans declined 14.4% to 489 units.
Registrations of 4x4s increased 81.6% to 1,024 units.
Pickup demand continued to weaken, down 57.4% to 1,166 units, marking declines in 11 of the past 12 months.
The drop follows tax changes introduced last April, treating double-cab pickups as cars for benefit-in-kind, increasing costs for business users.
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However, HMRC is considering changes to payload rules which could qualify more electric pick-up trucks for VAT reclamation by business operators.
Battery electric van uptake rose 44.7% to 2,439 units, recovering from a weaker March. However, at an 11.1% market share, adoption remains below half of the 24% share required under the ZEV mandate for 2026.
Year-to-date, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) account for 9.4% of registrations, with the industry continuing to highlight barriers including upfront costs, energy prices and charging infrastructure.
The SMMT said more than half of LCV models are now available with a plug, supported by manufacturer incentives and the plug-in van grant, but called for further support to accelerate uptake.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “April’s improved market is welcome news, despite a tough economic environment.
“New LCV investment drives growth and decarbonisation, but must be sustained by investment in public and depot BEV infrastructure – and a reversal of BIK on double cabs – to build momentum for fleet renewal that cuts emissions and boosts business.”
The latest outlook for 2026 has been revised to 314,000 units, down 0.5% year-on-year and 7,000 units lower than previous forecasts.
BEV volumes are expected to grow by 25% to an 11.1% share, still below ZEV mandate targets.