The newest entity to jump the green bandwagon is none other than the UK Postal Service, Royal Mail. The Environmental Policy of the postal service behemoth consists of reducing energy consumed, minimising waste generated, reducing water consumption and engaging customers to achieve the aforementioned goals. These four facets of its Environmental Policy have been complemented by using electric vans instead of the traditional red fuel-powered vans.
Royal Mail has announced a partnership with Oxfordshire-based automaker, Arrival, by whom the electric vans will be manufactured. Nine of those vans will, at present, roll out of London’s central bus depot. Nine commercial electric trucks of varying sizes and mileages of up to 100 miles. The number is expected to increase with time.
Arrival, previously Charge, is the automotive company whose trucks provide logistical support to Formula E. They also craft the inner electrics of cars competing in autonomous racing series, Roborace.
This was the second of such partnerships entered into by the Royal Mail, which had, previously, joined forces with French automotive maker, Peugeot, to buy 100 electric vans. These will go into operation in December of this year. Charging points will be installed at all delivery points so that the prized vans can recharge themselves frequently.
Incidentally, Peugeot was ranked the second generalist brand for lowest CO2 emissions in Europe. Popular as a very reliable brand and known as “the lion”, Peugeot has also been successful in the area of motorsport.
Needless to say, electric vehicles imply overall reduced fuel usage, which, in turn, implies reduced emissions and a greener makeover to the streets of London and neighbouring areas. The 49000-strong delivery fleet of the Royal Mail is turning cleaner and greener, by the tens and hundreds; however, a maiden stepping stone must be laid before the bridge can be built.