NEW LCV MARKET HALF-YEAR HIGH FOR
he UK new LCV market grew year-on-year for the sixth month in a row in June, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The organisation said there had been 31% growth, with 34,630 registrations during the month.
T
The SMMT said overall growth of 17.7% for the first half of 2023 had taken the market to its strongest half- year performance since 2019. In June, the market-leading 2.5–3.5t van segment saw 15.6% year-on-year growth, with 23,640 registrations, while the 2.0–2.5t van segment shot up by 160.8%, with 6,291 vehicles registered. However, vans weighing less than 2.0t were down by 42.8% to 508.
Pick-up truck registrations were up by 40.8% to 3,390, while 4x4 registrations rose by 180.1% to 801. However, there was a disappointing
performance from electric LCVs, which were down by 11.9% to take 5.1% of the overall market, which SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said showed urgent action was needed to boost demand. He said: “As we reach the year’s midway mark, the surge in light commercial vehicle registrations is good news and delivers continued optimism to the market. The fall in electric van uptake just at the time when we need it to grow is, however, very concerning. “Despite the continued availability of the plug-in van grant, more needs to be
done to give operators the confidence to make the switch. “This means a long-term plan that supports purchase and helps overcome some of the barriers to the installation of van-suitable charging infrastructure, given the unique needs of this sector.” The Ford Transit Custom topped the LCV sales chart in June with 4,737 registrations, ahead of the Ford Transit with 3,404, and the Vauxhall Vivaro with 1,921.
Completing the top 10 were the
Renault Trafic (1,789 registrations), Ford Ranger (1,784), Citroën Berlingo (1,595), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (1,486), Peugeot Partner (1,420), Volkswagen Transporter (1,325), and Vauxhall Combo (1,175).
ELECTRIC VAN CHARGING DPD TRIALS MOBILE Bicester depot. D
The trial will allow drivers to collect a prototype OnCharge ZIR0 power bank from the depot before driving home for the night. The system is able to deliver a 100% charge by the start of the following day. The prototype, with an operating
elivery firm DPD is trialling a mobile power bank charging system with electric vans at its
capacity of 50kWh, is said to be the first power bank designed for fleet commercial vehicles. DPD said the trial forms part of a development programme building towards customer production late this year.
DPD head of sustainability Olly Craughan said: “It’s fantastic to work with OnCharge to try this system in the real-world. Working together will give
us the opportunity to really understand the impact it can have on our drivers first-hand.
“It allows both us and OnCharge to see how the system works under different scenarios and allows our transport and sustainability teams to explore how an agile power bank model can amplify our investment in EV and on-site renewable generation.” OnCharge Energy CEO Philip Clarke
added: “In terms of productivity, the most efficient time to charge a commercial EV is overnight, but around 70% of fleet van drivers can’t charge at home. “We believe that a take-home power bank that you can collect at the end of the working day could revolutionise commercial EV fleet management and help encourage more drivers to switch to EVs.
“DPD already has a huge amount of experience running a large EV fleet and the Bicester eco-depot is the perfect place to trial our solution. We are looking forward to working with the team and hopefully making their EV fleet even more efficient and effective.”
@whatvan
Fastned EV chargers have been added to the Allstar One Electric network. The agreement increases the number of fast chargers available through the payment service to over 6,000 and the total number of chargers to more than 11,000. The number of chargers on the Allstar network has increased by 20% compared with 2022.
Average used-LCV prices hit a record high at the end of May, according to auction firm Aston Barclay. It said the new average of £9,057 – an 8.3% increase compared with Q1 – was helped by a fall in the average mileage of vehicles sold, from 104,000 miles to 94,783 miles, while average age remained at 64 months. Aston Barclay said the last time prices were at record levels was in Q3 2021, when the market was coming out of a pandemic-induced lockdown.
Edwin James Group has taken delivery of its first electric vans from Fleet Alliance as part of a pilot scheme that will see around 70 diesel vans a year being replaced with electric alternatives. The new Citroën e-Berlingo vans are part of a feasibility study to convert the whole LCV fleet to electric power, and part of the group’s commitment to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025 and net zero by 2030.
The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) has appointed Geraint Davies as concession director. Davies, who was previously chief operating officer at John Raymond Transport, has a background working in senior positions with the RHA and Logistics UK, and has had a close association with FORS for many years. He will be tasked with building on the work of outgoing concession director Ian Henderson.
July 2023 WhatVan? 5 At a glance
Isuzu has approved a range of accessories from ARB UK for its D-Max pick-up truck. The accessories, from the 4x4 division of Truckman, include drawer systems with slide-out kitchens, rooftop tents, awnings and other camping gear, roof racks, recovery equipment and canopies. The accessories will be available from participating Isuzu dealers.
News
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53
