Singapore Post (SingPost) has begun trialling fully electric three-wheeler scooters and vans with a view to replacing its entire delivery fleet by 2026.
SingPost intends to progressively replace all 700 motorcycles and three-wheeler scooters, as well as 140 vans, to electric motor equivalents as their leases expire over the next five years. This would make SingPost the first postal service in the Asia-Pacific region to commit to a 100% electric delivery fleet.
Tan Kiat How, minister of state for the Ministry of Communications and Information and Ministry of National Development, said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift toward e-commerce, and the postal sector would need to evolve its business model and service offerings to cope with the surge in parcel volumes. In this regard, I welcome SingPost’s electric vehicles trial and its ambition toward a fully electric delivery fleet, in support of Singapore Green Plan 2030. This shows SingPost’s commitment to environmental sustainability, and as well as its continued investment to better meet the evolving postal needs of our people and businesses.”
SingPost has begun pilots for the RAP IONA three-wheeler as an option to replace the company’s existing motorcycles. They will be wrapped in a distinctive green livery, a marked departure from the deep blue hue of SingPost’s other vehicles. The scooters emit roughly 75% less greenhouse gases compared with their internal combustion engine equivalents.
Each vehicle boasts a 120km driving range per full charge with a 50kg carrying load and maximum cargo volume of 500 liters.
SingPost also recently announced that Vincent Phang Heng Wee will be appointed as group CEO and as executive, non-independent director of the SingPost board, with effect from September 1, 2021. Phang takes over from Paul Coutts, who leaves the company at the end of August.
Welcoming the pilot, Phang said, “As Singapore’s leading last-mile and postal service provider, our delivery vehicles traverse the length and breadth of the nation every day. There is tremendous potential for us to do better for the planet. By converting our delivery fleet to a fully electric one, we will be delivering a greener Singapore for everyone.”