Royal Mail, the UK postal and courier company, will add 2,100 electric vans to its fleet over the next year as part of the company’s plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The company already has the largest delivery fleet in the UK and the new additions will take the fleet to 7,100 vans.
The new vehicles, which will be the first Royal Mail-exclusive red vans to come in the new cruciform and King Charles III livery, will be launched from August 2024 across the United Kingdom. Royal Mail expects more than a portion of them to be on the streets in time for the Christmas shopping period, which will help make greener deliveries at the busiest time of the year.
Most vans will be charged on site at Royal Mail delivery offices purchasing 100 per cent renewable electricity, meaning they will have 0 emissions. When the 2,100 new electric vans are in use, they are expected to reduce Royal Mail’s total emissions by around 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
“We are proud to take another vital step towards our goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040,” says Jenny Hall, Royal Mail’s Director of Corporate Affairs. “Electric cars will offer a wide diversity of advantages, reducing noise and air pollutants in local communities and our impact on the environment. We need as many consumers as possible to reap the benefits of emission-free home deliveries.
Electric vans are a vital component of Royal Mail’s fleet strategy. The company has also incorporated hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to power many of its trucks. HVO is a renewable alternative to diesel that produces up to 90% less direct carbon emissions than diesel. The fuel arrived in June 2023 and has already stored more than 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Royal Mail’s Steps to Zero environmental strategy has set a target of achieving net 0 emissions by 2040. The company has already reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions by 18% over two years, aiming for 50% relief. % until 2030.
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