To decarbonize its compact vehicle segment, Austrian Post has been testing the V500e vehicle from the European manufacturer Sevic since the beginning of April 2023.
The V500e is a fully electric light commercial vehicle of the L7e-CU class that received the overall vehicle type approval for the European Economic Area (ECWVTA) in March 2023. Sevic’s vehicle offering is flexible in terms of range and purchase price: the standard battery size of 16.5kWh with up to 150km range costs €24,900 (US$27,400) net (plus bodywork and transfer); while the long-range model with a 33kWh battery and up to 300km range (confirmed by TÜV Nord) is available for €29,500 (US$32,400) net plus bodywork and transfer. Austrian Post is testing both models: the vehicle with a 150km range is being used primarily in urban areas; the long-range model has been designed for traffic between cities and towns.
This trial forms part of Austrian Post’s sustainability plans to deliver all letters, parcels, print media and advertising mail over the last mile 100% emission-free to customers by 2030 at the latest. Since 2022, the delivery fleet has been expanded to include electric vehicles, with up to 1,000 e-vehicles to be purchased each year.
Matthias Hofmann, head of strategic network planning and control at Austrian Post, said, “Zero-emission delivery is enormously important to us. We recently put the 3,000th electric vehicle into operation, which means we already have the largest e-fleet in the country. But we also know that we still have a long way to go. On this path, small and flexible transport vehicles that are particularly suitable for city logistics are also important to us.”
Daniel Dietrich, international sales manager at Sevic, stated, “The fact that two of our vehicles are currently allowed to display the characteristic Austrian postal yellow makes us very proud. We are sure that our V500e will fully convince in the test.”
Nicolas Tran, who is in charge of the Austrian market launch of the Sevic V500e for the agency brandkitchen, added, “Thanks to its compact dimensions, the V500e has major advantages over conventional vans. The vehicles are ideal for deliveries in narrow residential areas in particular, can find a parking space almost anywhere and don’t take up much space even in the second row. The roll-up door across the entire width and length of the box makes it possible to load and unload very quickly. This shortens standing times enormously.”
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