Royal Mail delivery office in Bristol gains all electric fleet

Royal Mail has announced its Bristol East Central Delivery Office will become its first ever delivery office to feature an all-electric fleet of collection and delivery vehicles

The delivery office has had its 23 diesel delivery and collection vans replaced by fully electric equivalents – comprising the Office’s entire collection and delivery fleet. Six electric charging posts have also been installed which power the vehicles using renewable sources.

The 23 new vans can travel up to 125 miles in between charges, depending on weather and load size. As part of Royal Mail’s recent expansion of telemetry technology across its fleet, the vans will also have telemetry capabilities installed, aimed at encouraging more efficient driving techniques.

Royal Mail Chief Executive Simon Thompson will be joined by Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees and representatives of the Communication Workers Union, Bristol & District Branch Secretary, Rob Wotherspoon and Deputy Area Delivery Rep Ben Watts to mark the start of all electric Royal Mail deliveries in Bristol on Wednesday 26 May.

Simon Thompson, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Mail said: “It’s clear to me that customers increasingly want less environmentally impacting deliveries. And as a Company, we believe it’s the right thing to do. We are delighted to transform Bristol East Central into the very first Royal Mail ‘all-electric’ Delivery Office. This is a really positive step and will help us assess the impact of these changes on both our customers and our people when compared conventional delivery offices.”

Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “It’s fantastic news that Royal Mail has chosen Bristol for its first ever all-electric Delivery Office. Their 23 electric vehicles will join Bristol’s 99 bio-gas buses already on our streets in reducing emissions and improving air quality. We want to support people and businesses in transitioning our fleet to cleaner and more efficient vehicles. The investment in these vehicles and their network supports the important work of distribution across Bristol, as well as contributing to our economy as we recover from the Covid pandemic."

CWU Bristol & District Branch Secretary, Rob Wotherspoon said: "This is not just about the fight against climate change but about the air that our communities breathe. It's great to see Royal Mail leading the charge for clean air and zero carbon delivery in Bristol.”