Van Market Returns to Growth in April but Slows in Q1
The van market is showing a mixed bag of strong April sales compared to last year, but a slowing first quarter.
Van Registrations
With changes in taxation to double-cab pick-ups last year - where double cabs were removed from the commercial vehicles classification losing their favourable BiK status - there has been a significant decline in Pickup registrations year-on-year down 57.4%.
This has been offset somewhat by a surge in 4×4 vehicles - that SMMT classifies as dedicated off-road utility vehicles designed primarily for carrying goods - which shows an 81.6% increase in these vehicles, catching up to Pickups by volume.
Vans that weigh 2.5t or less have also dropped in numbers considerably with a shift into vans between 2.5t and 3.5t, plus an increase for all vans up to 3.5t.
Rigids between 3.5t and 6.0t have also seen a surge in demand of 51.7%.
Despite some heavy falls, the gains have been significant enough to reverse a downward trend in van sales recently, but there seems to be a shift in preference to larger vans and 4×4’s in general.
Van Registrations by Category April 2026
Vans by Fuel Type
Overall sales year-to-year have increased by 7.6% when comparing April 2025 to April 2026, which makes a good headline figure, but for the first quarter of 2025, they are down slightly by 1.3% when compared with 2025.
Diesel van market share is falling, but remains high having dropped from 86.6% market share in April 2025 to 82.9% market share in April 2026, however, volumes have increased slightly by 3%.
Year-to-date reflects a descent in market share from 86.4% to 83.3% with volumes falling by 4.8% since the start of the year.
Battery electric vans now represent an 11.1% market share, up from 8.3% a year ago with volumes of sales increasing an astonishing 44.7% as new models from Kia and Chinese brands, such as Chery’s Delivan launch their long-range electric vans to the market.
Year-to-date figures suggest a growing interest in battery electric vans with market share increasing from 8.3% to 9.4% and volumes growing 12% in Q1 2026.
Other fuel types, such as plug-in hybrids saw strong growth increasing volumes by 25.2% and market share by 0.8% to 6%.
In the first quarter this year market share has surged from 5.3% to 7.3% with volumes increasing by 34.3%.
Van Registrations by Fuel Type
Best Sellers
Ford’s trusty Transit Custom and Transit take the top two spots for April 2026 and year-to-date, showing its still Britain’s favourite van choice.
Third place goes to the Mercedes Sprinter van with the Renault Traffic in 4th. However, despite only being on sale for a matter of weeks, the Kia PV5 commercial van has already taken 10th place. Keep an eye on that one.
Year-to-date figures tell a slightly different story for 3rd and 4th spots with the Vauxhall Vivaro taking 3rd place and the Volkswagen Transport taking 4th place.
The Land Rover Defender - a 4×4 which has shown strong demand - is doing well in the sales charts taking 8th position in April 2026 and 10th place year-to-date.
Top Van Sellers April 2026
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb or YouTube @REV-EV.