Expansion of post office's electric van fleet

Thirteen electric vans have been introduced in the Isle of Man Post Office fleet

A further 13 electric postal vans have been added to the Isle of Man Post Office's fleet as part of a new sustainability strategy.

The organisation said the move was a "significant step" towards its goal of having "zero tailpipe emissions" deliveries on the island by 2028.

As part of its strategy, the Post Office is also planning for the "future optimisation of delivery routes" to further reduce its carbon footprint and lower noise pollution.

The organisation previously trialled six white electric post vans over the summer, with a view to bringing in more if they proved a success.

The Post Office said that over the next few years the public would see all of its traditional red diesel vans replaced by electric vehicles.

'Lead by example'

As part of the zero-emissions strategy the organisation said it had "already made significant strides" in other areas beyond its vehicle fleet.

These included a transition across its estate to LED lighting, staff training in reducing emissions, and the introduction of recycling programs across its sites.

The electrification of the delivery fleet and use of larger vehicles was outlined in the Post Office's annual climate report for 2022-23.

Other new measures included reducing the distances customers needed to travel through expanding its collection centres, and cutting paper use through digitisation.

Chief executive Simon Kneen, who is also chairman of the Post Office's Environmental Sustainability Committee, said that in 2024 the fleet had produced "74% of the emissions we generate directly”.

“Our commitment to a delivery fleet with zero tailpipe emissions by 2028 is a cornerstone of our strategy to lead by example in the fight against climate change,” he added.