As part of Royal Mail’s continued drive to reduce emissions, the company has fully electrified the fleet at Leighton Buzzard Delivery Office.
- Royal Mail announces Leighton Buzzard Delivery Office is operating an all-electric fleet of delivery vehicles.
- 43 fully electric vans have replaced the existing diesel and petrol delivery and collection vehicles at Leighton Buzzard Delivery Office, as part of the company’s plan to decarbonise its operations. 12 double electric charging posts have been installed on the site as part of the transformation.
- Andrew Selous, MP for South West Bedfordshire, paid a visit to the Leighton Buzzard Delivery Office to see the new vehicles in action.
- With the UK's largest "Feet on the Street" network of over 85,000 postmen and women, three quarters of parcel deliveries are made by foot or through a park and loop method, combining low mileage van movements and on-foot delivery, keeping emissions low.
- The move is part of a wider plan to roll-out 3000 electric vans to delivery office locations across the UK, making Royal Mail the largest electric fleet of any UK parcel operator.
- Royal Mail already has the lowest reported CO2e emissions per parcel amongst major UK delivery companies[1].
As part of the company’s nationwide roll-out of 3,000 electric vehicles, Royal Mail today announced it has moved to an all-electric fleet of collection and delivery vehicles at its Leighton Buzzard Delivery Office.
All 43 diesel vans at the office, have been replaced by electric vans. 12 electric charging posts have also been installed on the site as part of the transformation, and the electricity for powering the office and for charging the vehicles is purchased via a 100% renewable tariff.
The move will help the Leighton Buzzard Delivery Office’s postmen and postwomen deliver letters and parcels safely and efficiently, while producing fewer emissions, and is part of a wider plan to roll-out 3000 electric vans to delivery office locations across the UK, making Royal Mail the largest electric fleet of any UK parcel operator.
The expansion of alternative fuel vehicles demonstrates the company’s commitment to reducing emissions associated with its operations, and to delivering a cleaner future. Royal Mail already has the lowest reported CO2e emissions per parcel amongst major UK delivery companies, and boasts a unique, "Feet on the Street", network of over 85,000 postmen and women, with three quarters of parcel deliveries are made purely by foot or through a park and loop method, combining low mileage van movements and on-foot delivery, keeping emissions low.
In total, approximately 45 delivery offices across the UK are being upgraded to accommodate the next 3,000 electric vehicles currently being rolled out across the Royal Mail network. The roll-out includes many cities where low emission zones are in force.
With lower maintenance requirements, the electric fleet promises more on-road time and higher levels of reliability. They can travel up to 130 miles in-between charges, depending on vehicle type, weather and load-size.
The fully electric vans have up to 38% larger load space than the vehicles they have replaced, giving them additional capacity to deal with growing parcel volumes. With lower maintenance requirements, the electric fleet promises more on-road time and higher levels of reliability.
Andrew Selous, MP for South West Bedfordshire, said:
"I am very impressed at the investment the Royal Mail has made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this way and know that many organisations have now realised that the whole life cost of electric vehicles is an extremely competitive option with the tax incentives provided "
Nazam Ali, Leighton Buzzard Delivery Office Manager, said: “It’s been great to have the opportunity to be leading the way in the rollout of Royal Mail’s new electric fleet. The new vans will be become a familiar site on the streets of Leighton Buzzard and our posties are really excited about doing their bit to reduce air and noise pollution in the town. As a company, we pride ourselves with having the lowest reported CO2e emissions per parcel amongst major UK delivery companies and showcasing the way to achieving a more sustainable future for our fleet & our planet.”
[1] Figures taken from various CR reports, 2019-20.