The popularity of emission-free transportation solutions keeps rising in Poland, and soon our post carriers may follow the trend as well. Earlier this week, the Polish Post has launched a testing period for a series of electric vehicles in several Polish cities. With eight different EV developers, and 15 models selected for trials, the company has embarked on a mission to find an eco-friendly car best suited for city-bound deliveries.
While turning the Post’s fleets electric is a clear goal for the program, ensuring the mail carriers’ convenience and safety is equally as important. The vehicles’ main tasks will revolve around delivering small packages and letters, so the company has prioritized maneuverability over carrying capacity while making their selections. The 15 vehicle models they have picked for the tests will begin doing the rounds in 9 cities, including Warsaw, Łódź, Radom, and Piastów.
The Polish Post has been conducting the Electromobility project to ensure our preparations for the introduction of the Clean Transport Zones [in Poland]. We aren’t just counting on savings – we also hope to be perceived as a company which cares about local communities, and puts a real interest in making a positive impact on the environment by reducing air pollution. – explains Grzegorz Kurdziel, Member Of the Polish Post Management Board.
The newest program is the second round of EV testing for the Polish Post – back in April the company has wrapped up the trials for electrifying their heavy package delivery fleets. With EVs at 800 kilograms of carrying capacity, the Post had turned the testing grounds for a real “experimental polygon” for the drivers and the technical staff.
After several days of testing, each of the 15 vehicles was thoroughly rated by each of the employees, which provided the company with a general impressions regarding the considered changes. As for the results, while some of the surveys have shown a positive reaction to vehicles constructed in a similar way to the previously used machines, they also seemed to appreciate innovative solutions such as roll-up closures, and improved maneuverability.
Thanks to the tests, we got a chance to check which electric vehicles with a capability of up to 800 kilograms, and which of their technical and utility parameters would be especially useful in our company’s operations. Next year, we’ll start implementing electric cars [into our fleet]. The first vehicles which will find their place in the Polish Post will have a permissible total weight of up to 3.5 t – says Paweł Skoworotko, Member of the Polish Post Management Board responsible for logistics and infrastructure.
Here’s to hoping that the program will launch a zero-emission era for mail deliveries!
