The SMMT said that the decline is in comparison with a relatively strong Q1 last year – the second-best first quarter since 2019 – as order volumes continue to normalise following the Covid pandemic.
The bulk of the decline came from a 15% fall in registrations of new tractors, at 3,953 units in the quarter, accounting for 40.6% of the overall market in the quarter. Demand for new box vans and curtain-siders also fell, by 26.3% and 18.1% to 959 and 767 units respectively, while new tipper registrations dipped by just 4.6%, equivalent to 41 units. Bucking the trend, demand for refuse collection vehicles rose, up 20.6% to 520 units.
Registrations of new zero-emission HGVs almost doubled, up 94%, albeit translating to just 97 units. With an overall market share of 1%, up from 0.5% a year ago, this is the highest proportion of zero-emission trucks registered in a quarter, demonstrating small but growing demand for the very latest and greenest models after flatlining last year.
The SMMT noted that manufacturers continue to invest heavily in innovation with 35 models currently available as zero-emission – "an impressive array" of vehicle technology that can meet the needs of many different use cases.
Zero emission HGVs still remain a fraction of the market, however, and the SMMT said that it must grow rapidly over the next decade if the UK is to achieve its target for all new HGVs up to 26 tonnes – the majority of the market – to be zero-emission by 2035, with the remainder of the sector following by 2040.
The heavy commercial vehicle transition continues to be supported by government’s improved Plug-in Truck Grant and its Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme but the SMMT said that "immediate action is needed to remove onerous planning procedures that prevent timely rollout of charging and refuelling infrastructure at depots" – meaning operators may have to wait up to 15 years for a grid connection – as well as on the strategic road network.
The SMMT also noted that the transition can be accelerated by affording transport depots the same priority for fast-tracked grid connection as that recently announced for data centres, wind farms and solar – along with a national strategy that delivers HGV-suitable infrastructure at public and en-route locations.
The SMMT added that guaranteeing more affordable depot and public charging would further underline the case for operators to switch sooner – delivering cleaner air and quieter streets, and cutting operating costs.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "As the UK’s new truck market normalises after a turbulent few years, industry is already setting a new course for green growth with three dozen different zero emission models now available, and a record quarterly market share. Onerous planning processes, however, are acting as a handbrake on depot and public infrastructure, and fast-tracked grid connections are essential if more HGV fleets are to be decarbonised."
