Royal Mail to trial micro electric vehicles

Royal Mail is to trial twelve micro electric vehicles across the UK, as part of its drive to further reduce emissions.

The six-month trial of the mix of Paxster Cargo and Ligier Pulse 4 EVs will see them operating in Edinburgh, Crewe, Liverpool, Swindon and London.

Once the trial period has ended, Royal Mail will make a decision on whether to roll out this category of vehicles more widely across its fleet.

The Paxster Cargo is 2.4 m long and just over a metre wide and includes a central seating position as well as handlebar steering.

With a top speed of 28 mph and a battery range of 88 miles, it can charge in around 9 to 10 hours.

The Ligier Pulse 4, which can charge in 8 to 10 hours, is just over 3m long with a width of 1.8m and has a steering wheel.

It is left hand drive to ensure additional safety on exiting the kerb for frequent deliveries, has a top speed of 28 mph and a battery range of 74 miles.

The vehicles are charged using a standard three-pin plug, making charging more flexible.

With a load size of between 1.2m³ and 2.0m³, they can also accommodate more than an average daily round’s worth of letters and small parcels.

Simon Thompson, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Mail said, “It’s really exciting to see these micro electric vehicles making their way into our daily deliveries.

“At Royal Mail we’re committed to keep on reducing our environmental impact and we intend to leave no stone unturned in trialling new technologies and new ways of delivering to help us do that.

“As our fantastic posties make most deliveries on-foot, this already means we have the lowest reported CO₂e per parcel of major UK delivery companies.

“From drones to electric vehicles, fuel efficient tyres to bio-CNG trucks, we’ll keep on innovating to reduce our environmental impact even further.”

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