The Commercial Vehicle Show returns to the NEC Birmingham from 21-23 April, and the 2026 event looks set to deliver a stronger line-up of new vans than we’ve seen for some time.
There will be at least ten major launches on the opening day alone, and plenty else on the show floor to justify a close look. Electric vans will dominate much of the CV Show conversation, but the big story is that this year’s show is set to bring genuinely new products, broader model ranges and a few more interesting specialist applications than the usual round of net-zero talking points.
Ford
Ford is bringing two of the more interesting vehicles to the show. The new Transit City is being pitched as a simpler, cheaper electric van for urban fleets, sitting below the E-Transit Custom. With a 56kWh battery, up to 158 miles of range, and a deliberately stripped-back approach to specification, it has been designed for operators who need a zero-emission one-tonne van but do not want to pay for capability they will never use. If Ford gets the pricing right, Transit City could end up being one of the most relevant launches of the whole event.
Alongside it will be the Explorer Van, a commercial conversion of the electric Explorer SUV. This is clearly a much more niche product, aimed at fleets that value N1 classification and long EV range over outright carrying space. It won’t replace a conventional van for most users, but with up to 373 miles of range from a single charge, it does offer something quite different from the current small electric van norm. For the right buyer, it could make far more sense than it first appears.
Finally, Ford will be showing off the new Ranger 2-Seat, a tax-busting pickup that replaces the rear seats with a secure cargo storage area.
Renault
A year after showing the next-generation Trafic in concept form at the NEC, it will return with the production version of the new Trafic Van E-Tech
electric. That matters because this isn’t simply an existing Trafic converted to battery power, with the new van sitting on a dedicated skateboard platform, offering up to 279 miles of range. Payload is quoted at up to 1.25 tonnes, and towing capacity is quoted at up to two tonnes. In other words, this is a proper next-generation van rather than an update dressed up as something more dramatic.
Farizon
The Geely-owned brand will give the new V7E its public debut at the show, joining the larger SV in its UK line-up. Positioned as a city-focused medium electric van, the V7E is aimed at the increasingly busy part of the market where operators want something easier to manage than a full-size van, but still capable enough for delivery work, service fleets and other urban tasks. Farizon is already talking up strong figures for payload, cargo volume and range, so the full reveal should tell us whether the V7E has the substance to stand out in what is becoming a crowded part of the electric van market.
Iveco
Iveco’s eJolly and eSuperJolly will be making their UK public debut. These models matter because they push the brand further into the lighter end of the commercial vehicle market and give it a stronger foothold in the medium van space, although the products will be little more than rebadged Vauxhall vans. Iveco will be hoping that brand loyalty and 24/7 service agreements will be enough to sway buyers.
Chery
Chery Commercial Vehicles is one to watch, with its Delivan electric commercial brand due to be introduced to Europe for the first time at the show.
Kia
Kia is building on the momentum behind the PV5. The brand’s second CV Show appearance will include the European debuts of the PV5 Cargo L1H1 and PV5 Cargo L2H2, expanding the line-up beyond the L2H1 model first shown to UK audiences last year. It moves the PV5 on from being an interesting newcomer into something that looks more credible for a wider spread of fleet and business users. Kia is also expected to show converted models developed with its PBV Conversion Partners, plus the PV5 Chassis, which should give visitors a better idea of how serious the brand is about specialist applications as well as mainstream panel vans.
Isuzu
Isuzu will have a busy stand. The updated D-Max with its new 2.2-litre diesel engine will make its public debut before first UK deliveries begin in July, and the production version of the D-Max EV will also be shown.
There is more to the CV Show than just the vehicles, of course. Organisers are also placing greater emphasis on the wider industry conversation, including the new Celebrating Every Journey initiative and the Driven By Her platform, led by Women in Transport. That may not be the main reason most head to Birmingham, but it does reflect the way the show is trying to broaden out beyond rows of vehicles and product booths.
For us, though, the real interest remains in the metal. Renault, Ford and Farizon will have the standout launches, but Chery’s entry into the super-competitive UK commercial vehicle market will be one to watch.
This year’s Commercial Vehicle Show will still bring the expected talk of electrification, software and future mobility. But, on the evidence so far, it should also bring a decent number of vans worth paying attention to.
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