Ellesmere Port-built vans lead Royal Mail’s electric rollout

Royal Mail has introduced fully electric vans at its Ellesmere Port Delivery Office as part of a national rollout, cutting emissions while supporting local jobs.

A total of 18 of the 29 vans based at the site are now electric, with 11 of those vehicles — Peugeot Partner models — built locally at the Stellantis plant in Ellesmere Port.

Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders recently visited the delivery office, where he saw how the switch to electric vehicles will help reduce air pollution and decarbonise Royal Mail’s operations. He also took one of the new vans for a test drive.

He said:

“Fabulous to see Royal Mail rolling out all-electric, eco-friendly vans at Ellesmere Port Delivery Office and across the country. Making our area greener is a top priority and this investment is very welcome.

“It’s especially encouraging that many of these vehicles have been built right here in Ellesmere Port, supporting local jobs and the local economy.”

Mr Madders recently praised Royal Mail in Parliament for backing British manufacturing. Speaking in the House of Commons, he said the locally built vans were “a perfect example of how we should be supporting British industry” and called on more organisations to buy British and support the manufacturing sector.

Royal Mail now operates the UK’s largest electric delivery fleet, with around 8,000 electric vans, and almost a quarter of its delivery offices use electric vehicles for deliveries and collections.

The company announced plans last year to invest in a further 1,800 electric vans and supporting charging infrastructure, with nearly half of those vehicles manufactured at the local Stellantis plant.

The Peugeot Partner vans operated in Ellesmere Port offer lower maintenance requirements and improved reliability, with a range of up to 213 miles and on-site charging using renewable electricity.

Fleet electrification is a key part of Royal Mail’s strategy to modernise operations and reduce its environmental impact.

Pictured - Justin Madders MP behind the wheel of an Ellesmere Port-built electric Peugeot Partner van out and about in the community.