PostNL is taking another step in broadening its operations with the development of several charging plazas for electric wholesale transport. The charging plazas are being developed in stages and should eventually form a nationwide network for electric wholesale transport. Initially, they will be available only for electric PostNL trucks, eventually also for other carriers.
Electric trucks are booming; PostNL also wants to electrify its truck fleet in the coming years. This requires appropriate charging infrastructure with significantly more charging capacity than for passenger cars or small vans. This creates a growing need for loading bays designed for heavy transport. After successful tests at the PostNL sorting centre in Nieuwegein, PostNL plans to gradually roll out charging facilities for bulk transport in several regions.
Towards emission-free logistics
PostNL is betting on a nationwide network of loading plazas near several regional sorting centres in the coming years, initially for its own electric trucks. Eventually, the charging plazas will be opened up to other carriers. PostNL is thus moving from user to facilitator of emission-free logistics with the aim of making electric wholesale transport accessible to the entire sector.
Catalyst for further growth
"PostNL is part of society in the Netherlands," says Pim Berendsen, CEO of PostNL. "With these loading squares, we are investing in tomorrow's energy infrastructure. We are doing this together with municipalities and partners for and throughout the Netherlands, thus being the catalyst for further growth of emission-free logistics in the Netherlands."
PostNL will work closely with strategic public and private sector partners, including municipalities, grid operators and logistics partners, to develop charging plazas. By working together to ensure that energy networks and charging capacity match the growing need for electric transport in different regions. PostNL will also explore new opportunities through a stake in an investment fund to develop public, shared charging plazas for mass transport.
New strategy
Last September, PostNL presented its new strategy for the coming years, focused on value creation and sustainable international growth. In doing so, PostNL focuses on smarter parcel delivery, international e-commerce acceleration and further innovation. For example, with additional energy services.
The initiative with loading plazas is one of them and fits well with PostNL's sustainability strategy. The coming years will see a strong commitment to more clean mileage. PostNL aims to achieve 90 per cent fewer emissions in its own operations by 2030 and 45 per cent fewer emissions throughout the chain, and is heading towards net zero by 2040.
