Royal Mail has introduced its 9,000th electric van, a milestone the company says strengthens its position as the operator of the UK’s largest electric delivery fleet. The latest zero-emission version of its red vans joins more than 120 already operating from the Colchester Delivery Office.
Royal Mail aims to reach net zero by 2040. Its electrification program began in 2017 with an initial order of 100 electric vehicles and has since expanded rapidly. Nearly a third of Royal Mail’s delivery routes are now zero emission, with 44 delivery offices fully electric.
According to Royal Mail, electric vans offer savings on running, servicing and maintenance costs over a vehicle’s lifecycle compared with diesel equivalents, while also benefiting the communities the company serves.
Stuart Murphy, Royal Mail’s head of fleet transformation, said, “Reaching 9,000 electric vehicles is a major milestone as we work to transform our fleet. This shift is helping us cut emissions while delivering a better service for our customers, with quieter, cleaner deliveries in communities across the UK.”
Royal Mail is also investing in the next generation of zero-emission vehicles. The company introduced its first electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) in December, supporting decarbonization of its national distribution network.
More than 100 micro electric vehicles (MEVs) are being rolled out in locations including London, Bristol, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Solihull, Brighton and the Isles of Scilly, helping to reduce emissions and improve delivery efficiency. The company has also recently launched a fleet of 20 e-cargo cycles for faster, more sustainable urban deliveries.
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