Correos presents its first ecological vehicles (SPA)

Correos has presented its first electric vans and bicycles for mail and parcel deliveries, particularly in protected historic quarters and pedestrianised town centres. This initiative joins other initiatives promoted by the public postal company, aimed at reducing environmental impacts as far as possible.

To set up of the pilot projects Correos has purchased five commercial vehicles and nine bicycles adapted for carrying small loads. These vehicles will make the postmen and women’s job easier in pedestrianised areas, as up to now they have had to deliver large volumes of mail on foot and by hand in these areas. The initial investment made by the postal company stands at euro 139,000.

The vans will be used for mail deliveries in Barcelona and Seville and the bicycles in Granada and various towns in the provinces of Ciudad Real and Toledo. In Madrid and Zaragoza both types of vehicles will be tested. With this experience, Correos hopes to check the adaptability of these means of transport in different urban settings.

Lower usage and maintenance costs

The model of van chosen has a useful load capacity of over 400 kg and its side doors and rear door are very easy to handle, even for the bulkiest parcels. Right now, these types of vehicles are more expensive than conventional vehicles, although their useful life is longer and they are less expensive to use and maintain. This advantage is added to the environmental benefits, since, because they do not use oil-based fuel, the contaminating effects are drastically reduced. Furthermore, they do not generate any noise.

With this measure, Correos, with an average investment of 14 million euros in its fleet –made up of more than 13,000 vehicles, including lorries, vans and motorbikes- in the last three years, will step up its contribution to protecting the environment. The postal company already bought 28 Euro-4 type lorries in 2006, ahead of the anti-pollution guidelines and regulations adopted by the European Union, and is now starting to include ecological vans and bicycles in its fleet.

Once these vehicles and bicycles have been tested and adapted for mail deliveries in the respective pilot projects, Correos will gradually add new ecological units. Correos has presented its first electric vans and bicycles for mail and parcel deliveries, particularly in protected historic quarters and pedestrianised town centres. This initiative joins other initiatives promoted by the public postal company, aimed at reducing environmental impacts as far as possible.

To set up of the pilot projects Correos has purchased five commercial vehicles and nine bicycles adapted for carrying small loads. These vehicles will make the postmen and women's job easier in pedestrianised areas, as up to now they have had to deliver large volumes of mail on foot and by hand in these areas. The initial investment made by the postal company stands at euro 139,000.

The vans will be used for mail deliveries in Barcelona and Seville and the bicycles in Granada and various towns in the provinces of Ciudad Real and Toledo. In Madrid and Zaragoza both types of vehicles will be tested. With this experience, Correos hopes to check the adaptability of these means of transport in different urban settings.

Lower usage and maintenance costs

The model of van chosen has a useful load capacity of over 400 kg and its side doors and rear door are very easy to handle, even for the bulkiest parcels. Right now, these types of vehicles are more expensive than conventional vehicles, although their useful life is longer and they are less expensive to use and maintain. This advantage is added to the environmental benefits, since, because they do not use oil-based fuel, the contaminating effects are drastically reduced. Furthermore, they do not generate any noise.

With this measure, Correos, with an average investment of 14 million euros in its fleet –made up of more than 13,000 vehicles, including lorries, vans and motorbikes- in the last three years, will step up its contribution to protecting the environment. The postal company already bought 28 Euro-4 type lorries in 2006, ahead of the anti-pollution guidelines and regulations adopted by the European Union, and is now starting to include ecological vans and bicycles in its fleet.

Once these vehicles and bicycles have been tested and adapted for mail deliveries in the respective pilot projects, Correos will gradually add new ecological units.

ENCLOSURE:

VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS:

1. PORTER ELECTRIC VAN

Dimensions and weight:

Working length: 1270 mm.
Interior width: 1760 mm.
Interior height: 1350 mm.
Unladen weight: 1340 kg.
Payload: 460 kg.
Total authorised load: 1800 kg.
Features:

Speed: 57 km/h.
Range: Urban Use: 90 ~ 100 km. Extraurban use: 110 ~ 120 km.
Maximum gradient: 18%.
Equipment: (similar to a vehicle with a heat engine).

Sliding side door.
Rear door.
Heating (electric).
Safety belt.
Wing and rear view mirrors.
Antitheft device.
Technical Features:

Engine type: Electric.
Rated power: 10.5 kW.
Type of Battery: Lead – Gel 96 Volts.
No. of batteries: 16 modules.
Recharging time: 80% 4.5 hours 100% 8 hours.
Network Consumption: 4.25 kW (220 V single phase).
Electric power brake: allows for braking even with the vehicle at a standstill.
Economical gear selector.
2. ELECTRIC BICYCLE

Functional characteristics.

Six speed gear change.
Front suspension shock absorbers.
Front and rear racks.
2 bags on the rear rack and basket on the front rack.
Technical Features:

Material: Aluminium frame, handlebars, power, pedals, wheels, etc.
Weight: 12 ~ 14 kg.
Battery: Lithium 36 V. 8.8 AH. (Panasonic). Detachable for charging.
Connections to 220 V single phase network.
Recharging time: 4 hours.
Range: From 30 ~ 40 km. Depending on the weight, number of stops, hills.