Royal Mail, which owns one of the largest fleets in Europe, is making progress to electrify its vehicles by announcing energy provider EDF as its supplier for charging infrastructure and other ancillary services.
As part of Royal Mail’s involvement in the Optimise Prime Project, which is the world’s largest commercial electric vehicle project, it has committed to turning its iconic fleet of mail delivery vehicles green. The result will be a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions levels, which the UK-wide fleet contribute every year.
To help it reach its goal, the three year deal with EDF, the UK’s leading low carbon energy producer, will provide charging points, associated maintenance and ancillary items such as signs, bollards and wheel stops. The initial scope for this agreement will see chargers installed on Royal Mail Group sites in the South East of England, with potential for this to increase as required.
Philippe Commaret, managing director for customers at EDF, says: “The fact that the largest fleet operator in Europe has committed to such an ambitious project is a turning point in our journey to a low-carbon future.
“Working with Royal Mail to install EV infrastructure at their UK sites will allow them to accelerate towards an electric future, and hopefully inspire other businesses to follow suit.”
Meanwhile, Paul Gatti, fleet director at Royal Mail Group, says: “As we continue to realize our EV ambitions, we are careful to choose the right partners along the journey. We chose to work with EDF Energy – not just as a supplier – but also as a solutions partner to implement our new sustainability strategy. Over the three years we are confident that, alongside EDF Energy, we can deliver the infrastructure needed to power Europe’s largest commercial fleet of EVs.”
