Eastern suburbs will be the next Auckland areas to see New Zealand Post’s new electric delivery vehicles in action, with driver training now underway.
These areas include Howick, Pakuranga and Botany.
The four-wheeled vehicles will ultimately be used for the combined delivery of parcels and mail in residential areas of New Zealand’s larger towns and cities. The roll-out started last year in other areas of Auckland and the South Island.
“This is part of a national roll-out of the electric vehicles and I’m proud that people in Auckland will continue to be among the first to see them in their local communities,” says John Tautua, area service delivery manager.
The vehicles can carry up to 200kg of parcels and mail but are still small and nimble enough to be used on the footpath.
“These vehicles are an investment in New Zealand Post’s future as we change the way we deliver to meet the growing demand for parcel deliveries,” says John Tautua. “They’re also helping us find new ways to reduce our carbon emissions of every parcel we deliver.”
“Previous trials and experience from using them in other locations have shown these vehicles are safe to use on the footpath. Our drivers receive safety training, and they will give way to all other footpath users,” says Tautua.
New Zealand Post has worked with Auckland Transport to gain approval to operate the vehicles on footpaths in residential areas, and will continue to keep in close contact with them. The vehicles will not be used in major shopping areas because of the high number of pedestrians, and mail will be delivered on foot in these locations.
