Royal Mail To Purchase 100 Peugeot Partner L2 Electric Delivery Vans
The UK’s Royal Mail has signed a purchase agreement with Peugeot for 100 zero-emissions Partner L2 Electric vans, to be used as mail delivery vans.
The purchase agreement represents one of the biggest single purchases of electric vehicles to be used commercially in the UK to date, according to Peugeot. The current plan is for the new electric delivery vans to go into service by December 2017.
Related to the purchase of the electric vans themselves, the Royal Mail will be pursuing a comprehensive buildout of necessary charging infrastructure.
“With electric vehicles firmly on the agenda this week, there couldn’t be a better time to announce this landmark deal with the Royal Mail,” noted PSA Group Fleet Director Martin Gurney. “The order was won after Royal Mail carried out trials with the Partner Electric. It’s a tribute to their performance in the trials that PEUGEOT Electric vans will soon be helping Royal Mail to significantly reduce the environmental impact of its delivery fleet.”
Gurney is of course referencing the recent announcement that the UK will begin banning the sale of new petrol/gas- and diesel-powered cars beginning in 2040.
The press release provides some more information on the just-launched (in February) Peugeot Partner L2 Electric van: “Its lithium-ion battery pack is fitted under the load floor, ensuring there is no loss of load space compared with petrol and diesel-powered Partner L2 models. The Partner L2 Electric will carry a gross payload of 552 kg. Power comes from a compact and highly efficient permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 49 kW (67hp) at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 200 Nm. The front wheels are driven through a speed reducer and single ratio gearbox.
“The Partner Electric’s 22.5 kWh high-capacity lithium-ion batteries offer a range of up to 106 miles, measured on the NEDC cycle. The batteries can be re-charged to 80% capacity in 30 minutes from a dedicated rapid charge point. The drive motor also provides regenerative braking when slowing down, helping to re-charge the batteries and reduce brake wear.”
Importantly, those who purchase the Partner L2 Electric have access to the UK’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) Plug in Van Grant, which covers 20% of the purchase price (including VAT). City-level incentives are also likely available, particularly for the units to be used in London.
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