Around 3,000 additional electric vehicles are set to join Royal Mail’s fleet, as the company announces a ten-fold increase in the number of electric vehicles it operates, with plans to introduce the low-emission vans throughout the UK.
The company will additionally introduce charging points to all the delivery offices set to receive the vehicles as part of the plans. The roll out of the vans will initially focus on ultra-low emission zones and green cities.
The vehicles are specially designed to help postmen and women deliver letters and parcels in a secure and environmentally-friendly way. With load capacities ranging from around 3.7m3 to 6.3m3, the vehicles will operate as part of the company’s usual delivery routes.
The addition of this latest tranche of electric vehicles brings the total amount of electric vehicles operating within Royal Mail’s fleet to around 3,300.
For Royal Mail, EVs are not only the right move for our environment, our people and our communities, but they also increasingly make more economic sense for the company than diesel vehicles in the long-term.
Simon Thompson, CEO of Royal Mail, said: “Due to our feet-on-the-street delivery model, we are the clear leader in low emissions per parcel in the UK. Electrification of our vehicle fleet will strengthen our advantage.
“That’s good for our customers, our people & 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.”
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.”
Image: courtesy Royal Mail press office
