New Zealand Post running operational pilot for new eco-vehicles
New Zealand Post will be testing its new “eco-vehicles” for post and parcel deliveries in New Plymouth from next month. The new vehicles will be out on the streets of New Plymouth from 3 June and they will be delivering both letters and parcels to residential addresses from early July.
New Zealand Post will also soon be testing new services with some customers sending and receiving parcels in Taranaki.
“Customers are buying goods online in numbers we’ve never seen before and our parcels business is growing,” said Ashley Smout, Customer Service Delivery Chief Operating Officer for New Zealand Post.
“We want to give customers more choice about where and when they get their parcels,” continued Smout. “The new technology we’re developing will help avoid the disappointment of a missed delivery, as customers will be able to tell us in advance what they want us to do with their parcels. We’ll test the new services with selected customers over the coming months.”
Smout said that New Zealand Post is making a significant investment by introducing the new eco-vehicles in New Plymouth.
“These three and four wheeled vehicles will be used for combined parcel and mail delivery in residential areas,” says Mr Smout. “We’ve tested them before in other areas and we’re now starting a full, operational pilot here in New Plymouth that will help us make decisions on a nationwide rollout.”
“Previous trials have shown the eco-vehicles are safe to use on the footpath. Our drivers receive safety training, and they will give way to all other footpath users.”
New Zealand Post remains in close contact with the New Plymouth District Council about the pilot and has been given permission by the Council to use the vehicles on the footpath.
