Britain leading the way with EV-mail
Repurposed London black cabs and red vans cuter than Postman Pat’s – the Brits are leading the way with electric-powered postal delivery.
The UK’s Royal Mail is trialling electric taxi vans for parcel and letter deliveries. These zero-emissions ‘VN5’ vehicles are based on typical London taxi cabs, but painted in Royal Mail’s signature red colour.
In partnership with the London Electric Vehicle Company, these 2900kg VN5 prototypes will complement the Royal Mail’s current fleet of 295 electric vans.
Urban duties
The converted black cabs will see duty in major urban centres over the next six months, first in Birmingham, then Leeds, Derby, Edinburgh and Bristol.
The vans’ electric range haven’t been revealed, but Royal Mail says they are “designed to operate at lengthy distances on a stop and start basis, comparable to a typical postal round.” The vans are charged at local delivery offices.
In June, Royal Mail announced a ten-fold increase in the number of electric vehicles it runs across its UK fleet, with plans to introduce around 3,000 additional electrified vans.
It has committed to becoming a net-zero carbon-emission business by 2030, promising by that date to use a “100 per cent alternative fuel fleet.”
Certainly a silent EV delivering letters while you’re trying to get a lie-in beats diesel van clatter on a cold morning.
The 2030 timing aligns with the UK government’s announcement it will ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars from that year.
Future design icon?
And as for winning hearts and minds, Royal Mail’s vans can out-do Postman Pat’s in the cuteness stakes.
The van designs from EV company Arrival for Royal Mail (see picture below) bring plenty of aesthetic goodness to your street.
Australia Post should be commended for its efforts with the Swiss-designed EDV electric three-wheeled motorcycles, even if they look a bit naff.
First trialled in 2017, some 1,250 Australia Post EDVs are now in service, replacing the iconic Postie bikes. Electric bicycles have also been offered to posties instead of the nature strip-hopping petrol Hondas.
Looking to the future, hydrogen fuel cell EVs (FCEVs), rather than battery electric, should be the preferred solution for mail and parcel delivery companies.
In the ACT, the ActewAGL hydrogen refuelling site has been strategically chosen to be close to an Australia Post and StarTrack Express depot. It’s hoped delivery vehicles and forklifts may take advantage of this in future.
