Nov 18, 2025 (MarketLine via COMTEX) --
New heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations in the UK dropped by 14.5% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, with 9,272 new trucks entering service, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
This marks the fifth consecutive quarterly decline for the sector, with registrations down 12.5% for the year to date.
The fall in HGV registrations comes against a challenging economic backdrop and is also attributed to the natural cycles of fleet renewal following three years of robust post-pandemic growth, according to SMMT.
Tractor units saw a reduction of 2.2%, accounting for 3,966 units but still making up 42.8% of the overall market.
Box van registrations experienced the sharpest drop, declining by 38.7% to 899 units.
Tipper and curtain-sided truck segments also dropped by 10.1% and 38.1%, to 712 and 606 units, respectively.
Refuse disposal trucks recorded an increase in demand, rising by 9.5% to 578 units, though this remains the smallest segment among the top five by volume.A
Meanwhile, uptake of new zero-emission HGVs continued to rise, with registrations quadrupling by 341.2% to 225 units in the third quarter.
These vehicles now account for a record 2.4% share of the market.
Year-to-date zero-emission HGV volumes reached 408 units, an increase of 145.8% compared with the same period last year.
The increase has been supported by broader product availability, with more than two dozen models now on offer for various operator requirements.
Despite this progress, SMMT noted ongoing challenges related to charging and refuelling infrastructure for zero emission vehicles, particularly for depot-based operators facing grid connection waits of up to 15 years.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: aEURoeNew HGV uptake continues to normalise amid a tough economic backdrop so while another quarter of decline is unsurprising, returning to growth is important to keep businesses moving via the very latest, greenest models.aEURA
Earlier this month,Athe SMMT disclosed that UK new car sales saw a slight increase in October, rising by 0.5% compared to the same period last year.
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COMTEX_470351016/2227/2025-11-18T18:09:38
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