Royal Mail has begun rolling out more than 100 micro electric vehicles (MEVs) across the UK as part of its strategy to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 and to reduce delivery times. The first phase includes 84 vehicles supplied by Norwegian manufacturer Paxster, positioning the company as a key partner in what is expected to become one of Europe’s fleet transitions.
The initial rollout replaces 52 larger vans with 104 compact EVs in cities including London, Bristol, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Brighton. According to Royal Mail, the shift is expected to cut annual emissions by around 242 metric tons of CO₂ while reducing congestion and improving route flow in dense urban areas.
Royal Mail selected Paxster following multi-site trials involving several MEV models. “Their decision to scale with our vehicles confirms that the Paxster platform meets the real operational needs of postal fleets: easy charging from standard sockets, excellent maneuverability, safety, security, comfort for the driver and low TCO,” said Aleksander Säfvenbom, managing director at Paxster.
Royal Mail’s approach aims to use MEVs in conjunction with its larger e-van fleet to improve last-mile delivery. This approach is particularly effective in congested cities with limited accessibility and charging capacity.
“Many operators face the same reality as Royal Mail,” Säfvenbom added. “They need to deliver faster, cleaner and more efficiently in increasingly crowded cities. MEVs are becoming a vital tool in achieving that balance between sustainability, productivity and profitability.”
In related news, Amazon accelerates UK fleet electrification with record eHGV rollout