Every Second Delivery Vehicle Is Already Electric
Austrian Post has put its 5,000th electric vehicle into operation with a new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter. This means that every second delivery vehicle in the fleet of 10,000 vehicles already has an electric drive and is CO2-free on the road thanks to the use of electricity from renewable energy sources. More and more parcels, letters, advertising mail, newspapers and magazines are being delivered by Austrian Post’s e-vehicles. Austrian Post is acquiring more than 1,000 additional e-vehicles annually in order to achieve its goal of CO2-free delivery on the last mile by 2030.
“With our 5,000th electric vehicle, we have broken a threshold and, with Mercedes-Benz, we have a strong European partner on board who is actively supporting us on our way to CO2-free delivery over the last mile. We have big plans for this year. In addition to the comprehensive conversion to electro-mobility in Vienna, we will also be introducing the first electric vehicles in mountainous regions, thereby creating a real advantage for our customers”, explains Peter Umundum, Deputy CEO, Board Member for Parcel & Logistics, Austrian Post.
“We are very pleased that the 5,000th electric vehicle to be added to Austrian Post’s fleet is a Mercedes-Benz eSprinter. Our battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans are helping us to achieve our own goals in the area of locally CO2-free parcel delivery. The versatility and flexibility of the eSprinter make it the ideal addition to our pick-up and delivery fleet. Reliability and customer focus are important values, both in logistics and in vehicle manufacturing. Mercedes-Benz is committed to both”, says Michael Jopp, Managing Director Vans, Mercedes-Benz Österreich.
LARGEST ELECTRIC FLEET, VARIOUS VEHICLE TYPES, MORE ELECTRICITY FROM PHOTOVOLTAICS
Austrian Post’s electric fleet is not only by far the largest in Austria, it is also growing rapidly. Since spring 2022, only electric delivery vehicles have been purchased, with around 1,000 new electric vehicles added each year. Austrian Post relies on a range of manufacturers, currently including new acquisitions from Mercedes-Benz, Fiat and Maxus. Austrian Post also relies almost exclusively on electric vehicles for its company cars – for sales, field staff or car sharing. Combustion engines are gradually being phased out.
Austrian Post already produces part of the electricity it needs itself: throughout Austria, the company operates photovoltaic systems at 32 locations, with a capacity of more than 18 megawatts peak (MWp). This means that Austrian Post has increased the share of its own electricity supply from renewable sources to over 20 percent, and operates the largest portfolio of rooftop installations in Austria. The only electricity purchased from third parties is green electricity from Austrian sources.
THE MERCEDES-BENZ ESPRINTER – A LOCAL CO2-FREE DELIVERY PRO
The new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is the electrified pioneer in the large delivery van segment. Two body variants and lengths, three battery capacities and a high payload as a basis for numerous conversions and body variants make the new eSprinter the perfect large delivery van for commercial customers. A triad of efficiency, range and loading capacity makes the new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter a versatile all-rounder that is ideally suited to the requirements of the courier, express and parcel delivery industry.
Based on a simulation of the WLTP cycle (Worldwide Harmonised Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure), the electric range is up to 446 kilometres: Active thermal management improves efficiency, and a heat pump is fitted as standard. With a loading volume of up to 14 cubic metres and a gross vehicle weight of up to 4.25 tonnes, the rear-wheel-drive eSprinter is just as practical as its combustion-engine counterpart. The battery cells are made of lithium iron phosphate, which means they are free of cobalt and nickel and, thanks to their durability, are ideally suited for light commercial vehicles. Energy recovery during coasting and braking (recuperation) ensures optimised and efficient driving.
THE MERCEDES-BENZ ÖSTERREICH GMBH
Mercedes-Benz Österreich GmbH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG. The company is based in Eugendorf. Mercedes-Benz Österreich is the general importer of the registered brands Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach. The company coordinates sales, marketing, service and press activities in Austria with around 240 employees. Sales are carried out via the authorised dealer network and the agent-operated operating locations. Service work is carried out by the authorised workshops. In 2023, 10,564 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars (including V-Class) and 5,931 vans (excluding V-Class) were registered in Austria.
Source: Austian Post