Royal Mail takes delivery of 6,000th EV

Royal Mail’s 6,000th EV has gone into operation, maintaining the company’s position as having the largest electric delivery fleet in the UK.

The 6,000th zero-emission version of Royal Mail’s red van has been deployed at Manchester Mail Centre, adding to 15 others already at the site used for deliveries and collections.

So far, more than 240 Royal Mail offices across the country use EVs.

Most of Royal Mail’s electric vans are charged on-site across its estate via a purchased 100% renewable electricity supply, meaning they are zero-emission.

In July, Royal Mail announced it was adding another 2,100 electric vans to its fleet over the next year as part of its overall annual vehicle replacement plan and to help achieve Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2040.

These additions will increase the electric fleet to 7,100 vans.

When all the new 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.

Royal Mail has also introduced hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to fuel many of its heavy goods vehicle fleet, which is a renewable alternative to diesel that produces up to 90 per cent less direct carbon emissions compared to diesel.

Alistair Cochrane, Royal Mail’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “It’s so exciting to hit this major milestone just as we enter 2025.

“Electric vehicles are an essential part of our plan to be Net-Zero by 2040 and offer so many benefits for both our staff and customers.

“Our zero-emission vehicles make our deliveries greener, reducing noise and air pollution in local communities.”