Australia Post is stepping up its commitment to sustainable transport with the launch of a new electric van pilot, marking the organisation’s largest trial of electric delivery vans to date.
From this month, 36 Mercedes-Benz eVito vans will join the Australia Post delivery network, operating across metropolitan areas where their stop-start efficiency is best suited to busy parcel runs. This initiative adds to Australia Post’s existing fleet of more than 5,000 electric vehicles, which already includes e-bikes and smaller delivery vehicles.
Chief Sustainability Officer Richard Pittard said the pilot represents an important milestone in the organisation’s broader decarbonisation efforts.
“The introduction of electric vans is an important milestone in our fleet electrification and decarbonisation strategy. With more Australians shopping online than ever before, we’re delivering more parcels every day and we know we need to find more sustainable ways to do it,” Mr Pittard said.
The vans will run on 100% renewable electricity through Australia Post’s charging network and produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them a natural fit for high-density urban deliveries.
Australia Post will also work closely with Mercedes-Benz to train staff and ensure a smooth transition to operating the new vehicles, highlighting the importance of workforce readiness in the move to low- and zero-emission fleets.
“This is our largest electric van trial to date. It’s a meaningful step forward as we continue building a modern, sustainable delivery network that meets the evolving needs of our customers while reducing our environmental impact,” Mr Pittard said.
The rollout over the coming months forms part of Australia Post’s broader strategy to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050. With parcel volumes continuing to grow on the back of eCommerce, the trial signals a strong focus on scaling up zero-emission vehicles to meet future delivery demands.
For fleet operators, this trial provides another real-world example of how electric light commercial vehicles can be integrated into large-scale logistics operations. It also underlines the importance of pairing vehicle trials with investment in charging infrastructure, training, and operational planning.
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