NZ Post e-van roadshows underway

NZ Post has begun a nation-wide series of roadshows to introduce new Mercedes-Benz electric vans to its delivery partners. 

The roadshows began on March 2, hosted by NZ Post, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Carbn Group, to introduce the new Mercedes-Benz eVitos and eSprinters to delivery partners interested in transitioning to an EV.

“The roadshows are an opportunity for operators to try out an EV and find out about a finance incentive scheme created through a NZ Post and New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF) partnership,” says NZ Post group sustainability manager Dawn Baggaley.

NZ Post ordered 60 Mercedes-Benz eVitos in 2021. The first shipment arrived in September last year, and another consignment more recently. The remaining EVs are expected to arrive by August 2023. 

The vehicles will replace diesel and petrol vans used by NZ Post and some of its delivery partners for last mile delivery and help achieve NZ Post’s science-based target to reduce its emissions by a third by 2030.

The bulk purchase has enabled NZ Post to overcome supply chain challenges in accessing EVs – a move made possible through an arrangement with NZGIF, Baggaley explains.

A global microchip shortage resulted in a slight delay in NZ Post’s first shipment of 22 Mercedes-Benz eVitos going into service. The retrofitting of a safety feature requiring a module in 14 of the 22 vehicles was recently completed so that all 22 eVitos will be available for use – either as part of NZ Post’s fleet or through lease or purchase by delivery partners, she adds.

Painting and branding of new EVs continues

The latest 16 of the EV order have been painted and branded with NZ Post signage.

Several of these – still in the hands of Mercedes-Benz – were stored temporarily in Ardmore in transition between these two processes.

EVs and Beyond was sent photos of the electric vans parked up in the grassy field and which appeared to have been there for some time.

In response to questions, Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia and NZ marketing and PR manager Blake Vincent confirms they are part of the NZ Post eVito fleet.

“No ongoing storage is happening at the Ardmore location. They are only transitioning through the location as part of the local pre-handover vehicle preparation requirements,” says Vincent.