Royal Mail orders 100 Peugeot electric vans

Royal Mail has signed an agreement with Peugeot today (July 27) to purchase 100 Partner Electric vans to be used by postmen and women on their delivery rounds.

The vans will be deployed from December 2017 in delivery offices around the UK, supported by a ‘comprehensive’ rollout of charging infrastructure, the organisation has said.

The new vehicles will be complemented by a ‘comprehensive’ charging infrastructure, according to Royal Mail

The electric vans will be direct replacements for vehicles that have reached the end of their operational life.

Royal Mail is also investigating the use of electric vehicle technology for larger commercial vehicles to move mail within its network.

Emissions

Paul Gatti, Royal Mail fleet director, said: “Our research has shown that electric vans are a good operational fit with our business and we are delighted to be ordering such a large volume to use in our daily operations, This is good news for our customers and the town and cities, which we serve.  It also means we are on the front foot for future changes in emissions legislation.

“Emissions are an important issue for us at Royal Mail and we are continuously looking at new and innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint.  Improving the efficiency of our fleet by introducing electric vans is just one example of this.”

Commenting on behalf of the vehicle manufacturer, PSA Group fleet director Martin Gurney, said: “With electric vehicles firmly on the agenda this week, there couldn’t be a better time to announce this landmark deal with the Royal Mail that will bring 100 zero-emission Peugeot Partner L2 Electric vans to the Royal Mail postal delivery fleet.

“The order was won after Royal Mail carried out extensive trials with the Partner Electric. It’s a tribute to their performance in the trials that Peugeot vans will soon be helping Royal Mail to reduce the environmental impact of its delivery fleet.”