LTB 454/17 – Royal Mail Electric ‘Zero-Emission’ Vehicles Introduction Update
No. 454/2017
14 August 2017
Our Ref: C1/17
Royal Mail Electric ‘Zero-Emission’ Vehicles Introduction Update:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Vehicle Emissions Background:
For some considerable time the issue of vehicle emissions, pollution and the impact on health, the environment and global warming have been increasingly coming into focus and have recently been at the international centre of attention as well as specifically in the UK.
The UK Government have lost two major Court Cases, firstly in the Supreme Court in 2015 and subsequently in the High Court in 2016 on its failure to clean up air pollution across the UK and the Environment Secretary’s failure to take measures that would bring the UK into compliance with the law, following legal challenges by the Environment Group ‘Client Earth’. The High Court ruled that the government’s Air Quality Plan failed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling and relevant EU Directives on pollution level targets.
Recognising the need to respond positively and reduce carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and diesel particulate emissions from all forms of road transport, in order to meet national carbon reduction targets set out in the 2008 Climate Change Act, Low Emission Zones are to be introduced in major UK Cities in the coming years and on the on 25 July the government announced that the UK is to ban all new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 amid fears that rising levels of pollution pose a major risk to public health. The commitment follows a similar pledge in France and is part of the government’s much-anticipated Clean Air Plan, which has been at the heart of the protracted Supreme and High Court legal battles.
The government’s own figures show that there are now 40,000 annual air-pollution related deaths in the UK and MPs recently published an Parliamentary (EFRA) Select Committee Report confirming that UK air pollution is a ‘public health emergency’.
Alongside the planned Diesel and Petrol Engine ban, the government has published proposals to allow an adjustment in the weight categorisation for vehicle driving licences to allow category B (car) licence holders to drive a slightly heavier vehicle, if it is powered by a low emission technology, effectively offsetting the additional weight of the powertrain in these low or zero-emission vehicles. The government is also proposing a similar exemption from operator licensing requirements for alternatively-fuelled vans used for own account haulage. This would help operators to avoid becoming subject to the full operator licensing regime if they invest in cleaner but slightly heavier vans.
Simultaneously, in order to ensure that such zero-emission vehicles with cleaner powertrains are run and operated on UK roads safely, the government is proposing to correct a regulatory anomaly, which means that electric vans are currently exempt from MOT testing.
Royal Mail Environment Policy and Electric Vehicles Plans:
Royal Mail Group’s environmental policy aims to minimise the environmental impact of the business operations, introduce a new suite of environmental standards in 2016-17 and align to ISO140001. The target is to reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent, by 2020-21, compared with a 2004-05 baseline. With parcel volumes increasing, and demands on RMG vehicles and fuel consumption continuing to grow, this is an ongoing challenge. Large scale training programmes for drivers in fuel efficient, safe driving and vehicle telemetry technology installation has taken place with CWU agreement, promoting safer, more efficient driving styles and RMG continue its commitment to trial vehicles that use low or zero-emission technology.
Royal Mail Group’s Electric Vehicle Plans in Summary:
- 9 ‘Charge Automotive’ manufactured Electric Vehicles will commence trials at Mount Pleasant this month. The First 3.5t Charge Vehicle arrives on 23rd August, followed by 2 more 6t vehicles. The 2 will be arriving over the next 6-8 weeks and then 3 x 3.5t vehicles will be arriving in December 2017/January 2018 and the 3 x 7.5t vehicles will follow after those.
- 100 Peugeot Partner L2 Electric Vans will be arriving in 17 Delivery Office locations during the period November/December 2017.
- 2 Peugeot Partner L1 Electric Vans currently in service at West London MPU, Premier Park have been on trial for approximately 2 years with excellent feedback from drivers which Royal Mail may now purchase but that is still to be decided.
- Discussions are underway between Royal Mail Fleet and other Motor manufacturers regarding electric vehicles which may be taken on trial by Royal Mail but final agreement is yet to be concluded from these ongoing discussions and considerations.The 100 Peugeot Partner L2 Vans Locations:
|
Region |
Delivery Office |
Number of Vans |
|
|
1 |
North |
Leeds City DO |
8 |
|
2 |
South |
Bexley Heath DO |
6 |
|
3 |
South |
Bromley DO |
6 |
|
4 |
South |
Dartford MPU |
6 |
|
5 |
South |
Gravesend DO |
2 |
|
6 |
South |
E1 Whitechapel DO |
6 |
|
7 |
South |
SW1 Victoria DO |
6 |
|
8 |
South |
N1 Islington DO |
6 |
|
9 |
South |
SE1 Southwark DO |
6 |
|
10 |
East |
Nottingham City DO |
6 |
|
11 |
East |
East Derby DO |
6 |
|
12 |
West |
Bristol City DO |
6 |
|
13 |
West |
Aston DO |
6 |
|
14 |
West |
Hythe DO |
6 |
|
15 |
North |
Belfast DO |
6 |
|
16 |
North |
Edinburgh Dell DO |
6 |
|
17 |
West |
Cardiff DO |
6 |
|
TOTAL |
100 |
Partner L2 Electric Van Specification:
The RMG purchase agreement for 100 Peugeot Partner L2 Electric Vans represents one of the biggest single purchases of electric vehicles to be used commercially in the UK to date. 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, the Royal Mail Fleet, working with Royal Mail Property and Facilities Solutions is installing a comprehensive installation plan for charging facilities.
The Electric Vans will, if successful, certainly help Royal Mail to significantly reduce the environmental impact of its delivery fleet. The Peugeot Partner L2 Electric Van has a lithium- ion battery pack 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 around 60- 80 miles. 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.
Safety Features:
The Electric vans will have all of the standard RM specification safety features including ABS, ESP, EBA, front and rear parking sensors, driver and passenger airbags, audible handbrake application warning via the ignition, full height and width bulkhead.
Fleet Technician and Driver Training:
Part of the trials and introduction of Electric Vehicles will include a training package for RM Fleet Workshop Technicians on the vehicles including the HV (high voltage) components and safety precautions. Drivers will be trained via ‘change-over’ vehicle appreciation and awareness training sessions along with ongoing support.
ASR/WSR Involvement:
CWU Area and Workplace Safety Reps will be fully involved in the trial with monitoring and feedback welcomed by Royal Mail Fleet.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer