Taxi Driver Online

Royal Mail trials refitted black cab electric vans



The Royal Mail is testing the use of electric vans for postal rounds, as part of efforts to cut emissions.

The vans are refitted electric black taxi cabs. The design that is ultimately launched will probably be different.

The first van will be tested in Birmingham, with more to follow in Leeds, Derby, Edinburgh and Bristol.

Royal Mail, which is partnering with the London Electric Vehicle Company, plans to launch more later this year.

The 2.9 tonne (2,900kg) van will be charged at local post offices.

The battery will last for a typical postal round. It can also be extended if needs be to cope with longer, more remote locations.

There are currently 295 Royal Mail electric vans in operation, and the new fleet would complement rather than replace these.

Paul Gatti, fleet director at the Royal Mail, said: "As a company, we are committed to making changes to our operations that reduce our environmental impact whilst ensuring we continue to meet customer expectations."

Some 24 other firms are also trialling the refitted black cabs.

Joerg Hofmann, chief executive of the London Electric Vehicle Company, said: "Royal Mail is one of the oldest postal services in the world, and like our London black cab is part of British history and culture. It is great that these two iconic brands are joining forces for this trial."

He added that the trial would "test the vehicle's ability to the full".

Countries around the world are looking to cut the emissions from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles. Many have focused on vans and trucks because the larger vehicles are bigger polluters than cars.

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IDFIMH

Or they can send a postal order

But aren't there purpose-built electric vans that would be more suitable? And cheaper too, I would imagine?

So an average 60 miles on a charge if they are lucky, wait until they have to go up and down farm tracks.
I wonder how much they get them for , if the same price as the cab, they could buy at least 4 normal vans for that price

most of the e vehicle push has been at the mini or micro car end of things don't think they've touched vans but I am surprised the Post office hasn't looked at LNG or CNG conversions.

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

LEVC are having a rethink on the van side. The van that was due to be put into production was, like the taxi, based on an XC90. This meant the price was going to be similar to the taxi, around £60,000. I think they struggled to find much interest with their market research and are Stuck for what to do now. The Taxi was supposed to be “window dressing” with the van being the bread and butter. I know they are thinking of doing away with the range extender engine and replacing it with extra batteries to increase the range to over 100 miles, probably more than enough for most postal rounds but still very expensive compared to the vans they currently use. (no pun intended grandad!)

Amazed none of the big van manufacturers are pushing e-versions, if that's what people are saying in this thread.

Surely a vast market developing for this kind of thing?

But I suppose range is the big sticking point at this stage, and of course lots of Royal Mail vans will be doing micro-local stuff, although maybe not Parcelforce and the like.

Your either charging your customers to much or paying your staff to little if you can afford to buy vehicles in the £50'000 to£60'000 price range to deliver letters and a few parcels