NZ Post gives eCanter a thumbs-up

NZ Post’s six-month FUSO eCanter trial has been “a great success” according to the company’s senior environmental manager Maddie Ashby and energy manager Cees Ebskamp.

The eCanter has been delivering postal services between its North Shore Operation Centre and Silverdale depot, achieving fuel cost savings of 77.3% over its diesel equivalent. 

An estimated output of 15 tonnes of carbon has been avoided during the six-month trial period. 

“Over the course of a year, that’s roughly the same as removing seven passenger cars off the road,” said NZ Post group sustainability manager Dawn Baggaley.

Driver Ajay Kumar reported that the eCanter is quiet and very nice to drive and appreciated not having to make a special trip to refuel. 

The transport team are now keen to explore options to expand the current run, and to investigate whether another FUSO eCanter truck can be trialled elsewhere in NZ Post’s delivery network.  

“FUSO eCanter presents a great opportunity to trial short-haul deliveries which are often hard to navigate around tight roads and streets for the larger fleet,” the report states.  

NZ Post also anticipates that its report on the trial will be helpful to other contractors within its network, as well as other companies in the delivery and transport sector.