The UK’s Royal Mail has begun trialing a dual-fuel delivery van, which runs on both hydrogen and diesel. According to the post, this is a preliminary trial to determine if hydrogen is operationally suitable within its fleet. If workable, it says the results will be considered in future strategy developments for the company.
The 3.5 metric ton vehicle can travel up to 193km in dual-fuel mode and is intended to be refueled close to the delivery office. The trial will be conducted on delivery rounds in Altens, Aberdeen, for a 12-month period.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles were originally tested by Royal Mail in 2010. As technology in this space has evolved considerably over the past decade, the company says it is keen to understand how hydrogen can operate within its fleet, particularly for larger vehicles and longer routes, where electricity may not be a viable alternative fuel.
James Baker, chief engineer and fleet director at Royal Mail, remarked, “As a company, we are committed to making changes to our operations that reduce our environmental impact. Hydrogen is viewed by many as a vital source of future sustainable energy; so, as such, it is a perfect addition to our program of initiatives that enable us to assess ways of achieving this, while allowing us to continue to deliver letters and parcels safely, efficiently and responsibly.”
