Royal Mail commits to 3,000 more electric vans

Royal Mail is introducing 3,000 more electric vans to its fleet, a tenfold rise on the 300 plug-in vehicles it currently operates.

The first new electric vehicles (EVs) are being rolled out to areas employing clean air zones (CAZs), with charge points also being installed at delivery offices to serve the plug-in fleet.

Royal Mail says it expects the major deployment of its new electric vans, however, to begin from October. The majority of the new electric fleet is being sourced from Peugeot and Mercedes, with the Peugeot e-Expert, Mercedes e-Vito and e-Sprinter liveried in the traditional Royal Mail red. Load capacities will range from around 3.7m3 to 6.3m3 and the vehicles will be used on existing delivery routes.

The addition of this latest tranche of plug-in vans will bring the total amount of EVs on Royal Mail’s fleet to around 3,300.

Simon Thompson, CEO of Royal Mail, says that due to its “feet on the street” delivery model, it is the "leader" in low emissions per parcel in the UK.

“Electrification of our vehicle fleet will strengthen our advantage,” he continued. “That’s good for our customers, our people and the planet.

“We look forward to working with vehicle manufacturers and government to increase supply so we can accelerate our transition to electric vehicles in the UK. It matters to our customers, and it matters to us.”

In May, Royal Mail announced the launch of 29 low emission gas powered trucks, fuelled by bio-compressed natural gas (Bio-CNG). 

The 40 tonne Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are similar in size and look to a conventional Royal Mail truck but are significantly quieter. They also emit roughly 84% less CO2e than a typical diesel-fuelled vehicle of this size.

Royal Mail has also launched its first ever zero-emission delivery office fleet, in Bristol. 

The Easton site has replaced its 23 diesel delivery and collection vans with fully electric equivalents.

Six electric charging posts have also been installed on the site as part of the transformation. The electricity for powering the office and for charging the vehicles is also from 100% renewable sources.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “I am sure customers will be delighted to know that that while their local postie’s van may be red on the outside, it’s greener than ever at heart.

“The UK is leading the world in tackling climate change, and action like this from UK businesses will be crucial as we look to build back greener from the pandemic.”

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