A green energy alternative for posties has been rolled out on Tuesday, with electric delivery vehicles set to overtake motorcycles on Canberra streets.
Australia Post introduced 163 three-wheeled delivery vehicles, and with space to carry more than three times a motorcycle, they couldn't have arrived at a better time as parcel demand has surged amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Territory manager Careg Pretorius said a further 100 EVs due to be rolled-out by the end of the year could be fast tracked if demand remained.
"Should the current environment continue with high parcel volumes and high demand for online shopping and online services, then there could very well be a scenario where we need to fast track some of those," he said.
The first deliveries will be made in Mitchell, Belconnen, Gungahlin and Tuggeranong with north inner-city suburbs to be included in the run as more vehicles hit the road in coming weeks.
"The end game for us in Canberra is to have no motorcycles on the roads, the EVs play a large part in that."
Safety concerns for posties and a need to curb carbon emissions have played a part in the green technology with more than 700 in use nationally.
"These vehicles are more visible, more stable, have increased rider protection and lower on-road speeds, all of which help to keep our posties safer on the road," Mr Pretorius said.
He said the switch to electric would see a "drastic reduction" in Australia Post's carbon footprint.
ACT Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury welcomed the roll-out as the government works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"As the ACT now has 100 per cent renewable electricity, these Australia Post vehicles will recharge using clean, green power, and will be genuine 'zero emission' vehicles," he said.
"These new vehicles are a great initiative and we're pleased to be working with Australia Post to bring them to the ACT."
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