Australia Post has marked a major milestone in its decarbonisation journey, unveiling its first heavy-duty electric truck while rolling out renewable diesel through a partnership with Ampol.
The new Mercedes-Benz eActros, built by Daimler Truck, is the first large electric truck to join the postal giant’s national fleet. It produces zero tailpipe emissions and features advanced safety and driver-assist systems suited to urban and regional freight routes.
Mitch Buxton, General Manager Network Assets and Implementation at Australia Post, said the trial will provide critical operational data.
“Trialling the eActros will give us valuable insights into how heavy-duty electric vehicles can perform across our network,” said Buxton. “We’ve been investing in electric delivery vehicles for more than a decade, and this is the next step in building a cleaner, smarter and more resilient fleet for the future.”
Buxton acknowledged the practical challenges fleets face in adopting large electric trucks, such as charging, range and load capacity, but said Australia Post is “excited to take on” those challenges.
At the same time, Australia Post has partnered with Ampol to introduce 5 million litres of Amplify Diesel R10 — a 10% renewable diesel blend — at its Redbank Parcel Facility in Brisbane. The fuel will be used across a fleet of 89 existing trucks over the next year, cutting lifecycle emissions without engine modifications.
According to Buxton, the combined initiatives demonstrate Australia Post’s multi-solution approach to fleet decarbonisation.
“We know there’s no single path to decarbonising a fleet of our size and scale. That’s why we’re exploring a range of cleaner alternatives, from electric vehicles to renewable diesel, to find the best mix to support the size of our operations. Each step helps us learn, adapt and keep driving on our path to target net zero emissions by 2050.”
Ampol’s General Manager B2B, Brad Phillips, said the partnership aligns with Ampol’s broader role in helping Australian transport customers transition to lower-emission fuels.
“Renewable diesel has the potential to lower fuel lifecycle emissions as it’s manufactured from renewable feedstocks such as canola or waste products, and is a logical solution for hard-to-abate industries where fleet or infrastructure changes are not required,” said Phillips. “We’re excited to support Australia Post in their journey through the energy transition.”
Together, the eActros trial and the renewable diesel rollout underline Australia Post’s dual-track strategy — combining new zero-emission technologies with transitional fuels to decarbonise one of the nation’s largest and most diverse logistics fleets.
For Fleet Managers, the move highlights a practical reality of the low-emission transition: progress will come through a blend of solutions, not a single technology. Electric trucks are arriving, but renewable fuels are already delivering measurable impact today.
