New research by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed that the shift towards increased numbers of commercial vehicles on UK roads has continued to increase to unprecedented levels:
- Commercial vehicle numbers are now at their highest level ever, according to the research. Working vehicles now comprise 13.5% of the 40.5 million vehicles on UK roads.
- Vans remain the most popular class of commercial vehicle in operation, comprising 4,804,833 units, up 4.3% from 2020. While van numbers are increasing to never-before-seen levels, renewal is actually slowing: the average van on UK roads is now a record 8.7 years old.
- HGV numbers returned to growth after last year’s fall, increasing 2.5% to 604,035 units.
- Bus numbers had been in decline since 2012, including a sharp fall in 2020, which saw around one in 10 buses taken off the road. Growth in bus numbers in 2021 was the first time they’d grown in a decade, but the 1.1% growth still left almost 10% fewer buses than there were pre-pandemic.
Zero-emission vehicle uptake is also increasing, although overall use remains at low levels. Some 26,990 plug-in vans are now in operation, equivalent to around one in 180, compared with around one in 50 cars.
Buses are further ahead on their electrification journey, with battery electric units comprising 1.3% of all those in use.
Truck electrification is also emerging, with 313 units in operation – less than 0.1% of the total fleet – with the recently announced government demonstration programme of zero-emission truck use having the potential to give operators greater confidence to invest in the latest technology.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
Commercial vehicles keep Britain’s economy on the move, and their growing proportion of the national fleet underscores their increasing importance. Nurturing the green shoots of the sector’s transition to electrification, however, will need a dedicated strategy. Every stakeholder will need to play their part, matching the commitments made by the automotive sector, which is investing to offer an increased choice of zero emission vans, trucks and buses to users even in the midst of global supply chain shortages.
With ever-increasing numbers of commercial vehicles on the road, the question of safety in an ever-changing environment is of critical importance. Long driver hours, ageing vehicles, lack of driver training or education, and a lack of understanding from other road users of how to behave around larger vehicles are among the multitude of factors that could have a huge, lasting impact on the safety of our roads. It’s vital that your fleet has safety as a top priority.
Whether your fleet is made up of vans, cars, buses, or any combination of those – you can help to keep your people and vehicles safe with fleet risk management and driver training. Get in touch and find out how IAM RoadSmart can help protect your fleet.
