Royal Mail’s 6,000th electric vehicle (EV) has hit the streets, maintaining the company’s position as one of the largest electric delivery fleets in the UK.
The 6,000th zero-emission version of the company’s famous red vans has been deployed at Manchester Mail Centre, adding to 15 others already at the site used for deliveries and collections.
More than 240 Royal Mail offices across the country use EVs after it purchased its first 100 EVs in December 2017, which were deployed in delivery offices across the UK.
Most of Royal Mail’s electric vans are charged on-site across Royal Mail’s estate via a purchased 100% renewable electricity supply, delivering zero emissions.
In July 2024, the firm announced it was adding another 2,100 electric vans to its fleet over the next year as part of the company’s overall annual vehicle replacement plan and to help achieve Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2040., increasing the fleet to 7,100 vans.
When all the vehicles are in use, its total emissions will be reduced by around 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. It has also introduced hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to fuel many of its heavy goods vehicle fleet, which produces up to 90% less direct carbon emissions compared to diesel.
The company has already reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 18% in four years, with a target to achieve a 50% reduction by 2030.
Alistair Cochrane, Royal Mail’s Chief Operating Officer, said:
“It’s so exciting to hit this major milestone just as we enter 2025. Electric vehicles are an essential part of our plan to be Net-Zero by 2040 and offer so many benefits for both our staff and customers.
“Our zero-emission vehicles make our deliveries greener, reducing noise and air pollution in local communities.”
Image courtesy of Royal Mail
