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Calling all Transport Managers and HGV Drivers! We’re diving into the latest market data, and it looks like the UK’s new truck registrations are showing a noticeable dip. What does this mean for the industry, and more importantly, for your job?
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) for the second quarter of 2025 reveals that the new HGV market is slowing down. We saw an 11.2% drop in new registrations, with just 10,185 new trucks hitting the road.
What’s Driving the Decline?
The biggest players in the market, tractor units, took an 8.1% hit, dropping to 4,295 units. They still make up over two-fifths of all new registrations, but the real crunch was felt in other segments:
- Box Vans saw the steepest decline, down 33.1%.
- Curtainsiders dropped by 24.2%.
- Tippers were also down by 19.6%.
The only notable bright spot? Refuse collection vehicles, which saw an 11.4% increase—proving that some things, like getting rid of the bins, can’t be put on hold!
The Zero-Emission Roadmap: Progress, But Is It Fast Enough?
The shift to zero-emission HGVs is happening, but it’s still in its infancy. While registrations for these eco-friendly trucks were up by an encouraging 59.1% compared to the first half of last year, they still represent less than one percent (0.9%) of the overall market. Only 183 new zero-emission trucks were registered in the first six months.
As SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes notes, the decline is “unsurprising as the market continues to normalise.” However, he stressed the urgent need for a return to growth, calling the sector a “crucial driver of the UK economy.”
Why This Matters to You
- For Transport Managers: A ‘normalising’ or shrinking market can mean a tighter focus on fleet efficiency, driver retention, and maximising the lifespan of your current vehicles. Strategic planning around the zero-emission deadlines is now more critical than ever, especially given the current infrastructure limitations.
- For HGV Drivers: While a dip in new truck sales doesn’t mean less work, the ongoing shift to zero-emission vehicles signals a need to prepare for new technology and training. The industry is changing, and those with expertise in electric or hydrogen-powered HGVs will be in high demand.
The SMMT is now urgently calling for the government to prioritise grid connections for transport depots, similar to how data centres and wind farms have been handled. They argue that without a long-term national strategy for public HGV charging infrastructure, fleet operators simply won’t have the confidence to make the massive investment needed for the transition.
The takeaway? The industry is in a transitional phase. Demand has cooled, but the push towards a zero-emission future is accelerating. The key now is infrastructure.
What are your thoughts on the slow progress of zero-emission infrastructure? Are you ready to drive the next generation of HGV?
