Golf buggies to deliver post across Swindon to reduce carbon emissions

Royal Mail has announced that our letters could soon be delivered by golf buggies or quad bikes

Author: Alan Jones, PA / Sophie MerrickPublished 22nd Sep 2021
Last updated 22nd Sep 2021

Royal Mail is set to trial two types of micro electric vehicles for delivering letters and small parcels across Swindon, in an attempt to reduce the company's carbon emissions.

The vehicles, roughly the size of a golf buggy or a quad bike, will be assessed in residential areas as an eco-friendly alternative to larger vans.

They have been specially designed to help postal staff deliver letters and smaller parcels on their daily rounds.

The six-month trial will also see a selection of vehicles operating in Edinburgh, Crewe, Liverpool, Swindon and London.

'We'll keep on innovating to reduce our environmental impact'

Simon Thompson, chief executive officer at Royal Mail, said: "It's really exciting to see these micro electric vehicles making their way into our daily deliveries.

"We're committed to keep on reducing our environmental impact and we intend to leave no stone unturned in trialling new technologies and new ways of delivering to help us do that.

"As our fantastic posties make most deliveries on foot, this already means we have the lowest reported CO2e per parcel of major UK delivery companies.

"From drones to electric vehicles, fuel-efficient tyres to bio-CNG trucks, we'll keep on innovating to reduce our environmental impact even further".

The vehicles, which can accommodate more than an average daily round's worth of letters and small parcels, are charged using a standard three-pin plug.

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