HGV registrations fall for first time in two years

The SMMT has revealed in the first quarter of the year, HGV registrations were down for the first time in two years by 3.9%. Between January and March 11,068 HGVs were registered, 449 fewer than Q1 2023. Rigids proved to be the most popular units with an 8.4% rise from last year to 6,327 registrations. Demand for artics was down by 16.5% with just 4,741 new units hitting the road in Q1 this year. Instead of being a fairly even split between rigids and artics, rigids accounted for nearly six in 10 new HGV registrations. 

Tipper demand was slightly lower than last year by 6.3%. But on the up were curtainsiders by 23.1%, flat lorries by 21.6% and box vans by 20.6%. Regionally, demand in the South West grew the most, up by 11.8% and the South East remained where the largest demand was despite a small decline compared to 2023. Registrations in East Anglia dropped significantly by 26.4%, accounting for just 457 new vehicles in Q1. 

Zero emission HGVs saw an uptick of 56.3%, now accounting for 0.5% of overall registrations. Compared to cars and vans, the uptake of electric HGVs is still very low. The SMMT suggested this is due to a lack of operator confidence and a grant system that is lacking in adequate support as fewer than half of zero emission HGVs currently qualify for the scheme. 

A more established charging infrastructure is still needed to support these vehicles too. There’s one public 360kW truck charging point at the southbound Rivington Services on the M61. A lack of infrastructure adds to the cost of an eHGV with operators required to install charging at their depots to support the vehicles. 

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The truck sector currently stands steady, with just a small decline in uptake compared with a very strong quarter last year. Following two solid years of market growth, however, more action is needed to sustain green fleet renewal to decarbonise UK road transport. Zero emission truck uptake remains a fractional part of the market but, with just over a decade until the first phase of the end of sale of fossil fuel HGVs, operators need inspirational incentives and infrastructure provision to accelerate their investments.”