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Postmen test out electric vehicles

Postmen test out electric vehicles

Postmen test out electric vehicles

Motability scooters with a twist are New Zealand’s new attempt to combat against the falling numbers of post.

Two new electric vehicles have been introduced on a trail, a three wheeled vehicle known as “Kip” and a four wheeled vehicle known as “Polly”. On this trial they will be sent around local areas with postmen to see how effective they are in the delivery process.

The two vehicles’ cost between $15,000 and £25,000 and if they are a success they could be seen across New Zealand within the next number of years.

The post and communications chief operation officer Ashley Smout said that “while their introduction could lead to redundancies, they will not entirely replace traditional walking, cycling, and motorbike posties.”

But the reason for the trial was a dropping number of letters being sent by mail, combined with more parcels being sent because of online shopping, he said.

''We know our customers are changing the way they communicate and do business, and we need to change with them.''

The two vehicles were licensed to be driven on the road and could reach a speed of 45kmh and both vehicles have been given permission to mount the footpath which is an extension of the same permission given to post men on motorbikes. However while on the footpath they are not allowed to exceed 10kmh.

The vehicles were ''just a number of options'' NZ Post was trialling and NZTA would make a decision within three to four months about whether they would be used more-widely.

A postman on foot could carry a maximum load of 16kg and could cover a distance of 20km. Whereas the electric vehicle could carry 120kg and with a trailer could carry a further 150kg with a range of 100km.

NZ Post says a postie on foot could carry a maximum load of 16kg and could range up to 20km. A postie on a bike could carry 23kg and range up to 40km, and a motorbike could carry up to 27kg and range up to 80km.

See the video: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/9879622/Posties-test-out-electric-new-rides