NEW heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations rose by 12.9% year-on-year in 2021, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Growth in key industry sectors such as construction saw demand outstrip supply, with truck registrations surging from a locked-down 2020 fall of -32.2%. However, the global semiconductor shortage, as well as supply constraints affecting steel and aluminium, impacted availability resulting in 7,571 fewer (-16.9%) HGV units registered compared with the pre-pandemic average.
Some 37,163 units (over 6 tonnes) were registered last year, 57.1% of which were rigids, while 42.9% were articulated trucks, though both segments grew with 2,239 more rigids (+11.8%) and 2,006 more artics (+14.4%) registered than in 2020.
As construction began to bounce back during the year, tipper demand rose by 32.5% to 3,808 units. Tractor units were the most popular, with 15,679 units (+16.0%) while refuse trucks increased by 2.0% to 2,067 units. Conversely, box van registrations fell slightly, by -1.2% to 4,054 units, while curtainsided lorries declined by -6.3% to 2,452 units.
Fossil fuel vehicles still accounted for 99.8% of HGVs in use in 2020.
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