Italy's market for light commercial vehicles with a total weight of up to 3.5 tonnes continues to lose ground. According to data released by Unrae, registrations in June 2025 reached 19,407 units, down 6.1% compared to the same month in 2024. The six-month tally paints an even gloomier picture: from January to June, 98,746 vehicles were registered, down from over 111,000 in the previous year, representing a drop of 11.8%. This marks the eleventh monthly decline in a row, confirming a crisis with deep roots that, despite some positive signals, still shows no signs of reversal.
The only sales channel moving against the trend was long-term rental, which in June rose by 12.4%, reaching a market share of 35.5%, a sharp increase from 29.7% in 2024. This growth was driven by captive companies, those tied to manufacturers, which posted a remarkable 130.6% increase in the month. In contrast, top rental operators experienced a steep setback, with registrations falling by 43.2%.
Short-term rental, on the other hand, contracted by 20.5%, while registrations by private individuals fell by 16%. Companies and public bodies, although still the channel with the highest volumes, recorded a significant 14.8% decrease. Self-registrations remained broadly stable, though the rental-use component soared from 131 to 340 units, an increase of 159%.
In terms of fuel types, diesel still dominates the market with 76.9% of registrations in June (14,925 units), but its share is steadily shrinking. Compared to the previous year, it lost over 9 percentage points, with volumes down 16.2%. At the same time, alternative powertrains are experiencing robust growth. Battery electric vehicles (Bev) saw a dramatic 252% surge (1,445 units) compared to June 2024, capturing 7.4% of the monthly market, while plug-in hybrids (Phev) jumped by 972%, albeit from still modest volumes (193 units). In total, low- and zero-emission vehicles (Bev and Phev) now account for 8.4% of new monthly registrations (1,638 units), up from 2.1% a year earlier. This technological shift is already having tangible effects on emissions, which in June dropped to an average of 173.6 grams of CO2 per kilometre, down 11.3% year-on-year.
Looking at the best-selling models in the first half of 2025, Stellantis Group maintains a firm grip at the top. The Fiat Ducato leads the rankings with 11,176 units registered, closely followed by the Fiat Doblò with 10,438. The Iveco Daily takes third place, while Ford’s Transit range confirms its strong presence, with the Transit, Transit Custom and Transit Courier all featuring in the top ten. Rounding out the list of most-registered models are the Fiat Scudo, Mercedes Sprinter, Peugeot Boxer and the Ford Ranger pick-up.
In commenting on these figures, Unrae reiterates the urgent need for targeted government action to support a strategic sector at risk of being severely weakened by the dual challenge of economic crisis and ecological transition. The association calls for the renewal of the ecobonus for electric commercial vehicles, which was exhausted back in March, and for a structural reform of incentive schemes to make them more accessible and consistent. It also urges the extension of tax credits for charging infrastructure to include businesses registered with the Rea, a comprehensive review of company car taxation, and, above all, the long-overdue presentation of the National Infrastructure Plan for electric vehicles, awaited for more than two years. Without swift and structural responses, Unrae warns, it will be difficult to effectively support the transformation of the sector and revive a market that is currently struggling to regain momentum.
