Image Credit: Australia Post
Australia Post has added 36 new Mercedes-Benz eVito electric vans to its delivery network, the first time the national postal service has trialled a fleet of electric vans at this scale.
The vans, which produce zero tailpipe emissions and whose stop-start efficiency is “ideally suited to busy delivery routes” will also be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity thanks to Australia Post’s existing network charging infrastructure.
“The introduction of electric vans is an important milestone in our fleet electrification and decarbonisation strategy,” said Richard Pittard, Australia Post’s chief sustainability officer.
Australia Post already has more than 5,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in operation across the country, but it said this will be its largest electric van trial to date.
“It’s a meaningful step forward as we continue building a modern, sustainable delivery network that meets the evolving needs of our customers while reducing our environmental impact,” Pittard said.
Australia Post will work closely with Mercedes-Benz to train team members and support the smooth introduction of the new eVito electric vans.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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Oh great!
Now all our parcels and mail will be burnt up in EV fires!
And the depreciation, parcel and mail delivery prices will go through the roof.
Ohh and the damage these EVs are going to do to our roads, Noooooo.
They should begin by changing all those little motorbikes they use on their delivery routes over to Electric Vespa type motor scooters. Those are the ones that would really benefit from being electric as they start/stop at every residence.
They're already mostly electric here in Melbourne.
Same in Adelaide.
Even here in NW Tassie I've seen a number of the electric trikes here now. Aust Post is actually making an effort...
I wish they'd all stop trialling and just commit. There's nothing left to trial.
I think you've misunderstood the concept. What will be on trial is the attitude of the drivers and their supervisors to the challenge of succeeding in an environment where there is so much antipathy towards electric transport.
You make it sound like Australia Post have a serious culture change problem, starting at the top?