09-03-2017
Australia Post has launched a 12-week pilot to trial electric delivery vehicles. The postal operator will assess how the vehicles will suit the needs of Australia Post and how they might complement the Post’s delivery fleet.
The vehicles will operate across five delivery rounds and will be further extended in April 2017. Australia Post has stated that if the trial is successful, the delivery vehicles may be introduced to the Australia Post network. The vehicles are designed to carry 195 kg, including the driver, and has a carrying capacity of 450 litres. The e-vehicle can carry around 1,200 letters and 100 small parcels, which is approximately three times more capacity than the typical postie motorbike. The e-vehicle has a battery range of up to nine hours and can reach speeds of up to 45 km/h.
The e-vehicle is designed to provide improved safety, with a three wheel-base for greater stability, an over-head tinted canopy to protect drivers from the elements, automatic parking brakes and reverse features for safer drop-off, improved visibility, and a silent electric motor to provide greater peripheral hearing.
Source: Australia Post