LCVs News
SearchLight commercial vehicles and vans, excluding medium and heavy commercial vehicles.
Chery details diesel plug-in hybrid Stockman ute for Australian fleets
Chery has outlined specifications for its upcoming Stockman plug-in hybrid ute, including a 96km WLTP electric range, 350kW combined power and 3,495kg braked towing capacity. Australian customer deliveries are scheduled to start on 1 February 2027.
Kia PV5 Cargo named 2026 Fleet LCV of the Year in Australia
The electric Kia PV5 Cargo won Fleet News Group’s 2026 Fleet LCV of the Year award, scoring 7.8142/10 in its Best Value Analysis. It topped two hybrid and diesel finalists, assessed by fleet buyers.
LDV updates T60 ute with more powerful diesel and revised fleet range
LDV’s MY27 T60 ute gains a 163kW diesel engine, redesigned cabin and a two-model range. The PRO prioritises payload, while the LUXE adds comfort and equipment; both offer 3,500kg braked towing capacity.
Toyota warns Australia’s 2027 emissions targets could raise light commercial vehicle prices
Toyota says tighter Australian emissions targets from 2027 could put upward pressure on commercial-vehicle prices, but it has announced no increases. The warning comes as the company reports continued fleet demand for diesel HiLux models and plans to seek changes to light commercial vehicle targets.
ANCAP urges broader safety focus as commercial-vehicle fatalities rise
Australia’s mid-term road-safety review found fatalities involving light commercial vehicles rose by an average 12.1% and those involving heavy vehicles by 7.2% against the baseline. ANCAP is urging fleets to prioritise safety technology and calling for more consistent national crash data.
Australia’s electric truck and van sales remain negligible, report says
The Electric Vehicle Council’s 2026 report says electric vehicles account for just 0.1% of new truck sales and 1% of van sales in Australia. It says high upfront costs and a lack of purchase support are holding back adoption, and is discussing financing options with governments.
Toyota to power 40 HiLuxes with renewable diesel at AFL parade
Toyota Australia will run 40 HiLuxes on HVO100 renewable diesel at the 2026 AFL Grand Final Parade in Melbourne. The company says the fuel could cut lifecycle emissions from compatible diesel vehicles already in service and plans further testing.
Renault Trucks unveils electric E-Tech Trafic and targets 40,000 LCVs
Renault Trucks has unveiled the electric E-Tech Trafic at IAA 2026, offering up to 470 km of range and 800 V fast charging. The LCV is due to go on sale in Europe in the first half of 2027 as the company targets 40,000 LCVs annually by 2030.
Ram prices 2027 ProMaster City commercial van from $39,995
Ram will return to the smaller commercial-van market with the 2027 ProMaster City, priced from $39,995 in the US. Offered in cargo and passenger configurations, it will provide more than 2,000lb of payload and up to 2,000lb of towing capacity, with production starting in 2026.
Ford and Deakin unveil Ranger Super Duty fire-response concept
Ford Australia and Deakin University have unveiled a Ranger Super Duty Fire Response Unit designed to reach emergencies ahead of full-size appliances. The demonstration vehicle combines specialist equipment, auxiliary electric power and an upfitted body for rapid-response fleet operations.
KGM raises AWD Musso EV ute’s braked towing rating to 2,300kg
KGM has increased the braked towing rating of its all-wheel-drive Musso EV dual-cab ute from 1,800kg to 2,300kg in Australia, giving it greater towing capacity than Toyota’s electric Hilux, rated at 2,000kg.
Pedders promotes 3,500kg HiLux GVM upgrades for Australian fleets
Pedders is promoting a 3,500kg GVM upgrade for Toyota HiLux fleets, allowing additional payload while retaining the NA classification. The approach is intended to help Australian government, utilities, infrastructure and mining operators manage payload needs without triggering requirements associated with vehicles above 3,500kg.
Tachograph rules extend to lighter vehicles in international transport
From 1 July 2026, goods vehicles over 2.5 tonnes used for international transport or cabotage require a tachograph, while the domestic threshold remains over 3.5 tonnes. The article explains weight calculations, exemptions, equipment rules and Romanian penalties.
Fleet News Group announces 2026 Australian fleet vehicle award finalists
Fleet News Group has announced finalists for its 2026 Fleet Car, Fleet EV Car and Fleet Light Commercial Vehicle awards. The vehicles will undergo a two-day fleet-focused evaluation in Sydney before winners are revealed on 14 October.
Stellantis Pro One reports 7% first-half commercial-vehicle sales growth
Stellantis Pro One reported 7% first-half 2026 sales growth and maintained strong commercial-vehicle positions globally. It led Europe’s battery-electric van market, increased shares in South America and North America, and launched the Ram Dakota in Brazil.
Toyota Australia targets fleet needs with multi-powertrain strategy
Toyota Australia is pursuing a multi-powertrain fleet strategy, matching hybrids, PHEVs, BEVs, diesel and hydrogen vehicles to different operating needs. Its HiLux BEV has secured more than 300 orders, including from major industrial and infrastructure fleets.
ANCAP assessment underway for STARIA Load Hybrid
Hyundai has initiated ANCAP testing to validate the STARIA Load Hybrid against the existing five‑star rating; destructive element tests have been conducted and confirmation has been expected within weeks to inform fleet procurement decisions.
Foton launches local accessories range for Tunland
Foton Australia has partnered with three local specialists and has developed a genuine accessories range for Tunland V7 and V9, and has provided warranty-supported fitment via its authorised retailer network to simplify fleet configuration and deployment.
Electric LCVs reach tipping point as Europe faces industrial test
Electric LCV registrations in the EU rose 68% in 2025 to an 11% market share, while electric vans increasingly offer lower ownership costs. Transport & Environment urges stronger CO₂ standards and corporate-fleet targets to support European production and compete with Chinese manufacturers.
CATL launches Tectrans II 8C battery for LCVs
CATL has launched the Tectrans II 8C battery for light commercial vehicles, which has enabled 20–80% charging in 6 minutes 48 seconds, has offered a 10-year/1,000,000 km warranty and has announced deployment of integrated ultra-charging and swap stations.
Dutch electric van and truck numbers rise sharply, RVO data shows
The Netherlands had 59,818 battery-electric vans and 2,707 heavy commercial vehicles on the road by May 2026, up sharply from 2020. The article outlines fleet cost, zero-emission-zone access, range and charging constraints.
Renault Trucks unveils 2027 T High and electric range
Renault Trucks has presented new diesel and electric models at IAA 2026, including the 2027 T High with the DE13 R engine and E-Tech long-haul trucks, and has showcased expanded electric and light commercial offerings.
Temporary reduction in vehicle tax for commercial vehicles
The government has introduced a temporary motor vehicle tax reduction from 1 July 2026 to 1 January 2027, has halved entrepreneur-rate van charges and has applied a nil rate to heavy trucks, and has aligned implementation with three-month tax periods.
Dutch light-commercial market expected to recover in 2026
The Dutch light-commercial vehicle market is forecast to recover from its 2025 low, with registrations expected to reach 35,000–40,000 in 2026. Electric and hybrid vans are gaining share, while Ford has become the market leader.
Ram previews ProMaster City and updates commercial-vehicle line-up
Ram has previewed the 2027 ProMaster City compact van, due with customers in the first quarter of 2027, alongside expanded ProMaster cargo options and updates to its Chassis Cab, heavy-duty and 1500 truck lines for commercial and government fleets.
EU extends Smart Tachograph 2 mandate to 2.5-3.5t vans
The EU has extended mandatory Smart Tachograph Version 2 to 2.5-3.5 tonne light commercial vehicles engaged in cross-border transport or cabotage and has required compliance from 1 July 2026.
Stellantis launches Pro One commercial-vehicle unit in North America
Stellantis has launched its Pro One commercial-vehicle business unit in North America, combining fleet services, connected-vehicle support and vehicle-upfit tracking. It plans nine of 11 global models for the region by 2030, including new vans and pickups.
Tachograph mandatory for light vehicles 1 July 2026
EU regulations have extended tachograph obligations to cross-border light commercial vehicles over 2.5 tonnes, requiring intelligent devices, periodic data downloads and 12-month archiving; fleet operators have been advised to equip vehicles and adopt automated remote-download solutions.
BYD launches Dolphin Cargo e‑van in UK
BYD has introduced the Dolphin Cargo e‑van in the UK and has converted the Dolphin hatchback into a car‑derived light commercial vehicle, providing a 1,093‑litre load area, 60.4kWh battery, 204ps motor and V2L capability for fleets.
LDV launches eDeliver 5 electric van in Australia
LDV has launched the eDeliver 5 in Australia, has opened orders and expressions of interest, and has offered a limited-time ABN-holder drive-away price from $47,990 and has scheduled deliveries to begin in July.
ABAX adds SMT2 tachograph support for LCVs
ABAX Group has launched ABAX Tachograph and has added SMT2-compatible tachograph functionality to its Smart Operations platform to help LCV fleets meet the EU Mobility Package requirements taking effect on 1 July 2026.
BYD V9 electric van approved for sale in Australia
BYD’s V9 electric delivery van has been approved for sale in Australia. The rear-wheel-drive model produces 150kW, weighs 2,920kg and can tow up to 1,500kg, with pricing and local specifications expected later this year.
Renault reveals Australian pricing for electric Master van
Renault will launch the electric Master van in Australia in the second half of 2026, with an 87kWh battery, up to 409km of WLTP range and pricing from A$77,990 before on-road costs.
Tachograph download rules and deadlines
European regulators have required employers to download driver‑card data every 28 days, mass‑memory every 90 days and retain records for at least one year; companies have been advised to adopt automated download solutions ahead of 1 July 2026.
EU extends tachograph rules to vans from 2026
The EU has extended tachograph requirements to light commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used in international commercial transport, mandating smart tachographs from 1 July 2026 and raising compliance obligations for affected cross‑border fleets.
Workhorse cuts prices on W56 electric step vans
Workhorse has announced a limited-time price reduction for W56 electric step vans, has set new starting prices at $196,000 and $204,000, and has attributed the cuts to merger synergies and available state incentives.
Merlo UK gains attachment visibility with ABAX Worksite
Merlo UK has implemented ABAX Worksite to track high‑value demonstration attachments, and has integrated it with ABAX Fleet for vehicle tracking; the system has delivered time savings, reduced administrative burden and improved asset visibility.
CEFC commits $100m to support EV loans via VWFS
The CEFC has committed $100 million in partnership with Volkswagen Financial Services Australia to subsidise discounted loans for eligible new and used electric vehicles, and has sought to lower costs for consumers and small-to-medium business fleets.
Volvo launches EX30-based electric light commercial vehicle in the UK
Volvo Car UK has launched the fully electric EX30 Cargo, a second-stage conversion with a 1,000-litre load area and 390kg payload. Available through Volvo’s fleet sales channels, it is priced from £36,010.
Renault Trucks 2025 results: sales and electrification
Renault Trucks has invoiced 55,011 vehicles in 2025, has maintained European market share while expanding internationally, has increased electric vehicle deliveries and has seen used-truck invoicing fall amid reduced availability.
Renault Trucks to distribute Flexis electric vans from 2027
Renault Trucks has confirmed distribution of Flexis-developed fully electric light commercial vehicles from 2027, has remained a partner and investor in the project and has positioned the products within its SDV skateboard platform strategy to support light-vehicle sales growth.
EU extends tachograph requirement to LCVs from 2026
The EU has extended digital tachograph obligations to commercial light vehicles over 2.5 tonnes for cross-border traffic from 1 July 2026, and firms have been required to retrofit devices, update processes and appoint transport managers.
Tachograph Obligation for LCVs from 2026
EU regulations have extended digital tachograph obligations to cross‑border light commercial vehicles over 2.5 t, effective 1 July 2026, requiring Gen2V2 equipment. Operators have been required to plan retrofits, obtain driver and company cards, and implement data‑management and training.
Burton Roofing Merchants deploys Geotab and Motormax fleet safety platform
Burton Roofing Merchants has deployed an integrated Geotab and Motormax solution across more than 100 HGVs and LCVs in the UK, combining telematics, AI driver monitoring, cameras and compliance tools to improve fleet safety, visibility and vehicle utilisation.
CATL and SAIC partner on commercial battery-swapping system
CATL and SAIC formed a strategic partnership to develop an integrated vehicle, battery, station and cloud battery-swapping ecosystem, pursue joint R&D, pilot three-minute swaps and expand networks globally.
UK light commercial vehicle sales and BEV uptake
SMMT data show November UK LCV BEV registrations rose 25.3% to 2,909 units, 12.3% monthly share; year-to-date BEV LCV share remains 9.4%, below 2025 government target.
Ford and Renault Group form European EV and LCV alliance
Ford and Renault Group will co-develop two Ford-branded electric cars on Renault’s Ampere platform, to be built in northern France; they also signed an LOI to explore joint LCV development.
Zenobē opens Australia’s first off-site electric truck charging hub
Zenobē has opened Australia’s first off-site electric truck charging hub in Sydney, featuring 22 DC fast chargers powered by renewable energy. Woolworths will lease about half the spaces and take 60 electric trucks under Zenobē’s vehicle-as-a-service model.