European van and truck sales pick up again in 2023

The first half of 2023 saw an increase in registrations for new vans (LCVs) and trucks compared to 2022, although the pre-corona figures are still out of reach. The market share of electrified commercial vehicles is also growing relatively quickly.

The worst of the supply chain issues seems to have passed, as new EU van sales reached 725 418 units in Q1+Q2 2023, an increase of 11,6% according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association’s (ACEA) figures. It’s still not up to the level reached in 2019, though, when the year saw 1 749 872 new LCVs sold, excluding the UK’s registrations.

Electrification gaining momentum

The market share of electrified vans (plug-in hybrid and battery-electric) also increased to 7% in the first half of 2023, up from 3,9% in 2022. The sales doubled, with 50 708 new (PH)EV vans registered. Diesel lost ground and now accounts for 83,4% of van registrations, down from 87% last year.

The same can be seen in the European truck market, which improved by 20% compared to last year (179 508 units). Here, the electrification is also starting to take effect, with an increase of 351,5% in plug-in hybrid and electric trucks compared to 2022, although the market share remains marginal, with 1,3% in Q1+Q2 2023.

Positive figures for Belgium

In Belgium, the LCV and truck markets also had a positive first half of 2023, with a respective increase of 23% and 24,5% in registrations compared to last year. We saw 1 384 new electrified vans on our roads, an increase of 133,8%, while 79 new electrified heavy trucks entered circulation – a massive expansion of 1,480% compared to just five units in the first half of 2022.