Every Fourth New Lorry is Electric

From January to March, 9,406 light and heavy goods and passenger transport vehicles were brought into circulation, representing an increase of 6.7 percent compared to 2025 (8,813). In the first quarter of 2026, 1,073 heavy commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross weight were registered, marking an increase of 15.6 percent. The share of purely electric vehicles (BEV) among heavy commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross weight has thus continued to grow. In the first three months of 2026, it was at 26.8 percent, meaning that more than one in four newly registered vehicles in this segment is electric. In the segment of heavy lorries over 16 tonnes, the electric share is around 25.1 percent, which corresponds to every fourth new lorry. The existing subsidy system created significant market demand in particular for the aforementioned category, unlike for light commercial vehicles, delivery vans, and light semi-trailers up to 3.5 tonnes gross weight, which are growing significantly slower. Here, growth compared to the previous year's quarter is 4.3 percent, with the market share of BEV in light commercial vehicles being 12.2 percent and 3.1 percent plug-in hybrids, a positive trend compared to the previous year.

Bourgeois Vehicles Still Driving with the Handbrake On The registration numbers of heavy commercial vehicles up to a maximum of 4.25 tonnes, the so-called Bourgeois vehicles (see below), are stagnant; they account for just five percent of new registrations in the weight class of 3.5 to 16 tonnes in the first quarter. This vehicle category is still being hampered by regulatory hurdles, and the industry continues to await more market-realistic framework conditions.

Electrification in commercial vehicles is gaining momentum - especially in the heavy segment, showing that the market functions in a stimulating regulatory environment," says Thomas Rücker, Director of auto-schweiz. "At the same time, it is clear that the ramp-up of electromobility occurs at different speeds depending on the area of application. A reliable policy that offers long-term planning and investment security influences market success in a decisive way.

Together with the 52,982 new passenger cars, a total of 62,388 new motor vehicles were registered in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein in the first quarter of 2026. Compared to the previous year's figure of 61,503, this represents an increase of 6,442 new registrations or 1.4 percent.

The detailed figures by brand are available at www.auto.swiss. The evaluations by auto-schweiz are based on surveys by the federal government; the data may be preliminary and incomplete.

What are Bourgeois Vehicles? These so-called Bourgeois vehicles owe their name to a political proposal from former National Councillor Jacques Bourgeois, who urged the Federal Council in a motion to increase the permissible gross weight of delivery vans with zero-emission drivetrains from 3.5 to 4.25 tonnes, provided the weight increase is solely due to the additional weight of the alternative drivetrain. However, the affected vehicles must comply with the technical regulations for vehicles with a weight between 3.5 and 12 tonnes. Legislators and politicians have recognised that further barriers need to be dismantled to accelerate the transition to zero-emission delivery vans. Recently, the consultation on further easements for "Bourgeois vehicles" and their drivers was concluded. Currently, the Federal Council is evaluating the consultation responses. Auto-schweiz has also strongly advocated for further easements.

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher.