“Evan”, NZ Post’s new project.
Funding is being offered by NZ Post to help its delivery contractors replace their vans with EVs.
As there isn’t an EV available for every application in the van fleet, NZ Post will maintain the funding offer until it reaches its target of 25% of “last mile” contractors using EVs by 2025.
“This will ensure that all contractors should be able to find the vehicle right for them and will give reassurance to those who want to get involved but are unable to, as no suitable EV is currently available,” NZ Post chief executive David Walsh says.
He says NZ Post has about 1200 vans in its contracted delivery fleet, emitting around 20,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, “so this is a really great place to start our low carbon activity”.
The very nature of our core business with our massive transport network of planes, trucks and vans means that we have an opportunity to do things differently, he adds.
NZ Post’s owned and contracted ground fleet comprises about 41% of its 110,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
“Acknowledging the part we play in reducing our carbon footprint is at the heart of this EV programme and it fully underpins our 32% carbon reduction target (a science based target), as well as our goal to be carbon neutral by 2030,” Walsh says.
He points out that EVs are better for the environment, cost far less to run than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and deliver cost savings too.
In performance terms, several couriers have tested about five EVs on different terrains to fully assess how they stack up against their diesel counter parts.
“We also chose to test EVs during our busy peak time, and feedback was that there was no slowdown in delivery times,” Walsh says.
“That said, our delivery contractors told us that although EVs are something they want to consider, the main barrier remains the high price point. Naturally, while this barrier exists, it makes it harder for our delivery contractors to access the environmental and financial benefits of running an EV. And of course, in turn this makes reaching our NZ Post carbon reduction goal harder,” Walsh explains.
“We need to accelerate the uptake of EVs in our contracted fleet, which is why we have launched these initiatives now.”
Walsh says customers and consumers have choices when they buy and NZ Post believes initiatives like these “help us each do our bit”.
“We are absolutely committed to a sustainable future for New Zealand and we’re proud to be making innovative change that will have long term benefits for our environment.”
NZ Post had planned to launch the EV funding programme in March, but that was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s calling an EV van caricature “Evan”.
NZ Post has videos and more information, including how to apply for the funding.
