The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association has warned that the UK HGV sector is under sustained pressure, as operators grapple with rising costs, regulatory uncertainty and the realities of decarbonisation.
Its new HGV Outlook 2026 report shows the UK truck parc remains stable at just over 520,000 vehicles, but more than 71% of fleets describe current trading conditions as challenging.
The report highlights persistent inflation in maintenance and labour costs, alongside wider uncertainty, as key factors reshaping how operators invest in and manage their fleets.
Despite these pressures, the report suggests the sector is adapting rather than resisting change. Many operators are extending vehicle lifecycles, reviewing funding strategies and increasingly turning to leasing and rental to manage risk.
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