Karmactive Staff
Royal Mail reached 7,000 electric vehicles in its delivery fleet on May 19, 2025, with the latest van joining South Lambeth Delivery Office’s existing 70 electric vehicles. The office handles deliveries to the Houses of Parliament, Victoria, Chelsea, Lambeth, and South Kensington areas.
The company plans to add 1,800 more electric vans next year. About half of these will come from Stellantis’s Ellesmere Port plant in the UK, boosting domestic manufacturing. Since buying its first 100 electric vans in December 2017, Royal Mail now uses electric vehicles at almost a quarter of its delivery offices.
“Today, we’ve hit a major milestone in our journey to reach Net-Zero by 2040. We’ve strengthened our position as the UK’s largest electric delivery fleet and our investment in 1,800 more zero-emission vans will help us maintain this in the future,” says Alistair Cochrane, Royal Mail’s Chief Operating Officer.
The numbers show progress: Royal Mail cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 18% over four years. They aim for a 50% cut by 2030, leading to net-zero by 2040. The company reports the lowest carbon emissions per parcel among UK delivery firms.
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Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, notes: “Today’s unveiling of its 7,000th EV is a crucial milestone for Royal Mail as it continues to decarbonise its fleet of iconic red vans. It comes as we’re investing £120m to help businesses follow Royal Mail’s lead and buy zero emission vans.”
Technical Details and Infrastructure:
- Electric vans charge at delivery offices using 100% renewable electricity
- Two 19-tonne electric trucks being tested with Magtec
- £800,000 government grant supports the truck trials
- HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fuels many heavy goods vehicles, cutting direct carbon emissions by up to 90% versus diesel
The Stellantis order includes:
- 1,100 E-Partner small electric vans
- 1,000 E-Expert mid-sized vans
Next Steps:
- Building charging infrastructure alongside the 1,800 new vans
- Expanding electric vehicle use beyond the current quarter of delivery offices
- Meeting interim targets: 50% cut in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030
- Working toward the 2040 net-zero goal
The electric fleet expansion forms part of Royal Mail’s ‘Steps to Zero’ environmental strategy, which tracks progress through science-based targets.
