Royal Mail has introduced its 6,000th electric vehicle (EV), further expanding its operations with zero-emission vans.
The vehicle, now in service at Manchester Mail Centre, is part of the company’s efforts to reduce emissions and transition toward its Net-Zero target by 2040.
The UK’s largest electric delivery fleet has steadily grown since Royal Mail’s first 100 EVs were introduced in 2017.
Today, more than 240 delivery offices across the country operate EVs, which are charged on-site using a purchased 100% renewable electricity supply.
In mid-2024, Royal Mail outlined plans to add 2,100 EVs within a year as part of its annual vehicle replacement programme.
This will bring the total fleet to 7,100 vehicles, contributing to an estimated annual reduction of 6,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
As part of its wider environmental strategy, Royal Mail has also adopted hydrotreated vegetable oil, a renewable diesel alternative, to fuel some of its heavy goods vehicles.
HVO is reported to reduce direct carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional diesel.
The company’s ‘Steps to Zero’ strategy includes achieving a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.
Royal Mail has reportedly already achieved an 18% reduction over the past four years and reports the lowest carbon emissions per parcel of any UK delivery company.
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