Light commercial vehicle sales in Europe by country 2019-2022

In 2022, France recorded the highest number of light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales, with some 347,000 vehicles sold. This figure represents a decrease of nearly 20 percent from the previous year. The second-ranked UK sold some 282,000 units year-to-date, a drop of around 26 percent year-on-year. Iceland and Cyprus were the only two European countries that experienced growth in their light commercial vehicle sales at a rate of 36 percent and one percent, respectively.

Delivery vehicles provide a lifeline in times of crisis

In 2020, light commercial vehicle sales slumped across Europe when the coronavirus pandemic brought parts of society to a standstill. Commercial vehicles are more likely to have a business-related customer base than cars. However, as online retail surged during the pandemic, the logistics industry emerged as a driver of light commercial vehicle demand. Europe’s second-largest light commercial vehicle market, the UK, saw record high registration figures in October 2020, with the Ford Transit Custom topping the charts as the best-selling light commercial vehicle in the UK.

Electrifying the light commercial vehicle fleet

Electric light commercial vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of the transportation industry. But passenger cars are electrified at a much faster rate than commercial vehicles. Major European manufacturers have indicated that model ranges will soon be available as fully electric. Electric vans are already cost competitive in some European nations. Norway is a world leader for the adoption of battery electric vehicles - the market share of plug-in LCVs in Norway doubled over the space of four years.