Swiss Commercial Vehicle Market in Reverse Gear Due to Planning Uncertainties and Economic Concerns

In the case of heavy commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes total weight, the number of new registrations fell from 4,876 vehicles in 2024 to 4,197 in 2025, representing a decline of 14 percent. A key reason for this development is the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the performance-related heavy vehicle fee (LSVA). What will happen after 2029? It is particularly unclear for many transport companies when new LSVA categories will be introduced. The current parliamentary debate about the start date of LSVA levies for electric vehicles is increasingly unsettling the market. Until recently, market participants assumed that electric trucks would be exempt from the LSVA until 2031. The lack of planning certainty means that investments in new - more expensive but more environmentally friendly - vehicles are increasingly being postponed.

The market share of electric commercial vehicles has increased significantly. Despite the general market downturn, the electrification of heavy commercial vehicles (>3.5t) has continued so far. The 942 newly registered vehicles with a purely electric drive account for a market share of 22.4 percent, a new high. In the past year, 524 new heavy battery-electric trucks (BEVs, >16t) were newly registered, accounting for a market share of more than 16 percent in this weight class. The existing support system, especially for the latter category, generated considerable market demand.

auto-schweiz Director Thomas Rücker comments on the opposing trend: 'Uncertainties regarding regulatory framework conditions and economic concerns had a firm grip on the Swiss commercial vehicle market in 2025. Thanks to the existing regulatory environment, Switzerland is ahead in electrifying heavy commercial vehicles by European standards. However, we are increasingly jeopardizing this position due to the uncertainty surrounding the LSVA. Long-term planning and investment security are urgently needed to ensure that the current market success is not put at risk.' However, Rücker sees an encouraging sign for the passenger car market: 'It shows that a market can be effectively controlled with a stimulating regulatory environment. Financial incentives and framework conditions aligned with market reality are effective.'

New registrations of light commercial vehicles mirror economic concerns. Even for light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes total weight, such as delivery vans and light semi-trailers, a recovery was not forthcoming this year. In total, 28,992 vehicles were newly registered in 2025, representing a 5.0 percent decline from the previous year. It seems that small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as many craftsmen, expect a downturn in economic prospects and are delaying vehicle replacement.

Delivery vans are becoming more ecological. For light commercial vehicles, diesel remains the dominant type of drive, but is losing market share to plug-in hybrids and purely electric drives. In 2024, the market share of so-called plug-in vehicles was 8.1 percent. This share soared to 16.9 percent in 2025. The 4,895 plug-in vehicles in 2025 (compared to 2,457 in 2024) represent a doubling. This development is also owed to the adaptability of vehicle manufacturers. Importers have significantly expanded their range of electrified models to meet the 20 percent stricter emission requirements for delivery vans.

Almost a fifth fewer passenger transport vehicles were recorded. New registrations of passenger transport vehicles fell by 19 percent to 5,518 registrations in 2025 (2024: 6,800). This was mainly due to developments in minibuses, coaches, and motorhomes. While the decline in motorhomes had been anticipated for some time, the market saw significant growth in buses. This segment grew by an impressive 49 percent, thanks to larger replacement investments in public transport.

Together with the historically low 233,737 new passenger cars, a total of 272,444 new motor vehicles were registered in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein in 2025. Compared to the previous year's figure of 281,740, this represents a further decline of 9,296 new registrations or 3.3 percent.

Detailed figures by brand are available at [link removed]. The evaluations from auto-schweiz are based on surveys by the federal government, and the data may be provisional and not complete.

Press contact: Frank Keidel, Media Spokesperson
T 076 399 69 06
Email: frank.keidel@auto.swiss

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