This week, Royal Mail announces the launch of its first ever Delivery Office to feature an all-electric fleet of collection and delivery vehicles.

The Bristol East Central Delivery Office, located in the City’s Easton area, 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 on the site as part of the transformation. The electricity for powering the office and for charging the vehicles is from 100% renewable sources.

Bristol was selected due to the City’s plans for a Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which will require certain vehicles to pay a daily charge to enter its centre. At present, other Delivery Offices across the UK are being considered for similar fleet makeovers in coming months – particularly those in places with existing CAZs, or that have plans to introduce them.

The Electric Vans (EVs)

The fully electric vans have a significantly (up to 60%) 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.

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[2] , the vans will also have telemetry capabilities installed, aimed at encouraging more efficient driving techniques.

The above benefits are in addition to helping the area’s approximately 60 postmen and postwomen deliver letters and parcels safely and efficiently, while producing fewer emissions.

A Responsible Company

With the UK's largest "Feet on the Street" network of over 85,000 postmen and women, Royal Mail already has the lowest reported CO2e emissions per parcel amongst major UK delivery companies.

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 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.”