Last year, the markets for trucks powered by the internal combustion engine and zero-emission fuels fell, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The UK’s new HGV market fell for the first time in three years in 2024 with registrations down by 2.7%, writes Peter Brown, while the zero emission truck registrations fell by 7.3% in 2024 when compared to 2023.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, addressed the stats. “A slight decline in truck fleet renewal reflects a sector that is normalising after strong post-Covid growth,” he contended.
The annual overall decline in diesel-fuelled HGV registrations was driven by falling demand for articulated trucks, down 12.4% to 19,079 units, which offset a rise in deliveries of new rigid trucks, up 6.0% to 25,909 units.
As for the fall in zero emission numbers, he said incentives are needed. “With most of the market nearly one full investment cycle away from the 2035 end of sale, however, urgent action is needed to address stagnant zero emission uptake,” he illustrated.
“Manufacturers are delivering the products – now operators must be convinced to invest. Meaningful fiscal support and infrastructure rollout is essential, therefore, so that fleet transition is a compelling commercial proposition.”
The stats showed that zero emission vehicles registrations plunged by 7.3% to just 217 units, with a 0.5% market share – the same as in 2023.
He added that with the UK set to end the sale of all new, non-zero emission HGVs weighing up to 26 tonnes in 2035 – almost three quarters of the market last year – uptake must grow exponentially in the next decade to meet that target.
