Are things looking up for the EU’s new LCV market?

29 April 2026

The EU’s new light-commercial vehicle (LCV) market managed modest growth in the first quarter of 2026. This was boosted by an increase in electric vehicle (EV) demand, as diesel’s dominant grip weakened. Tom Hooker, Autovista24 journalist, unpacks the data.

New LCV registrations in the EU grew by 2.3% year on year in the first quarter of 2026. According to ACEA, a total of 360,648 new LCVs took to the EU’s roads. This signalled a rebound for the sector after an 8.8% delivery decline in 2025.

This growth was enabled by surging registrations of new EVs, including battery-electric and plug-in hybrid technologies. Hybrid LCVs, made up of full and mild-hybrids, also saw strong delivery improvements. This came as diesel volumes stagnated.

Shifting LCV powertrain shares

After a 12.8% slump in registrations during 2025, diesel’s first-quarter result in 2026 could be seen as positive.

Deliveries dipped by 0.8% in the first quarter of this year, with 288,484 units ensuring a dominant 80% market share. However, this was down 2.5 percentage points (pp) year on year, and a 0.7pp drop from its overall 2025 share.

Meanwhile, petrol represented 3.7% of overall volumes. This was down from the fuel type’s 5.2% hold during the first quarter of 2025. Deliveries slumped by 27.1% year on year, with 13,267 new models taking to EU roads.

Combining diesel and petrol volumes, internal-combustion engine sales continued to control the LCV market. This was despite a 2.3% decline in deliveries, plus a 4pp drop in share to 83.7% during the first quarter.

Electrified LCV momentum

EV registrations soared by 42% in the first quarter, reaching 43,441 units. Without this result, the EU’s new LCV market would have fallen by 1.4% year on year between January and March. The powertrain group accounted for 12% of total deliveries, up from 8.7% in the first quarter of 2025.

Hybrid volumes enjoyed a similar year-on-year increase of 42.1%. Yet this was based on a lower figure of 12,636 units. Hybrid-powered LCVs represented 3.5% of all LCV registrations, up 1pp compared to one year prior and just 0.2pp behind petrol.

Adding hybrid deliveries to the EV total, the electrified LCV market saw deliveries increase by 42%. This meant the grouping took a 15.5% market share, up from 11.2% during the first quarter of 2025.

Diverging national LCV results

Across the EU’s 27 member states, LCV registrations saw varying results in the first quarter. In total,18 markets enjoyed growth, including France, the biggest new LCV market between January and March. The country posted a 3.7% year-on-year increase to 88,609 units. This result contrasted with its new-car market decline.

Furthermore, 12 markets achieved double-digit improvements, such as Spain, which recorded the third-highest number of new LCV deliveries. Volumes surged by 13% year on year in the country, with 48,176 units delivered. This proved even more impressive than its new-car market growth during the same period. Poland also achieved a strong result, with a 11.2% increase to 18,113 registrations.

Many four-digit markets also saw notable performances. This included 34.7% growth in Greece. Slovenia, Ireland and Sweden enjoyed improvements of 19.4%, 17.5% and 15.4%, respectively. New LCV sales rose by 15% in Luxembourg, 13.3% in Czechia, and 12.4% in Austria.

Conversely, nine countries suffered delivery declines, such as Germany, the EU’s second biggest new LCV market. Volumes fell by 9% year on year to 57,886 units. This came as Germany’s new-car market enjoyed a strong start to the year.

Additionally, LCV registrations dropped by 1.7% to 46,883 units in Italy, the bloc’s fourth biggest LCV market. Meanwhile, its new-car market recorded growth of 9.2% in the first quarter.

Even steeper declines were recorded in Finland and the Netherlands. The two countries saw double-digit drops of 15.5% and 12.5%, respectively. Hungary also endured a 10% slump year on year.