EV post vehicles hit shore

New Zealand Post’s new electric delivery vehicle will first visit North Shore as a national rollout of the vehicles gets under way.

The four-wheeled Paxsters will be used for the combined delivery of parcels and mail in residential areas of New Zealand’s larger towns and cities. The rollout started at the end of July in Oamaru to be followed by North Shore streets.

From August 4, the Paxsters will be used for deliveries in Glenfield, Hillcrest, Bayview, Beach Haven, Birkenhead, Northcote, Northcote Point and Wairau Road.

According to Mark Stewart, chief operating officer for customer service delivery, the eco-friendly vehicles are geared to meet the growing demand for parcel delivery. The Paxsters can carry up to 200kg of parcels and mail but are still small and nimble enough to be used on footpaths.

“Previous trials have shown these vehicles are safe to use on the footpath. Our drivers receive safety training, and they will give way to all other footpath users,” he says.

New Zealand Post remains in close contact with Auckland Transport and has been given permission to use the vehicles on residential area footpaths and not as opposed to major shopping areas.