Rise in vans pushes UK commercial vehicle parc to more than 5 million

Some 5.3 million commercial vehicles are now in operation – the highest recorded this century.

According to SMMT’s annual automotive census, there were more than 4.6 million vans, 589,445 trucks, and 73,608 buses and coaches on the road, out of a total of 40,350,714 vehicles in use.

While truck numbers declined by -3.1% to return to levels last recorded in 2015, vans recorded their 11^th year of consecutive growth, increasing by 1.7% year-on-year as an upsurge in home delivery and construction stimulated demand. Many of these vehicles have also been instrumental in supporting the nation during the pandemic, providing support to the NHS, and delivering food and goods across Britain.

The average age of commercial vehicles has also increased, with significant implications for emissions targets and air quality goals. The average van is now just under eight years old, with a considerable number of older vehicles still in operation.

“The past year has highlighted how much Britain relies on its commercial vehicle parc,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. “With less than nine years to go until the end of the sale of new petrol and diesel vans, much needs to be done to avoid a long fossil fuel hangover from operators resisting the switch. Fleet renewal must be a high priority for the commercial vehicle sector and the government’s Bus Back Better strategy must be implemented immediately to reverse the decline in bus operators.”

*www.logistics.org.uk/van

Published On: 03/06/2021 17:00:04

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