NZ Post has reached a milestone in its fleet electrification programme, with 115 fully electric vehicles now operating across its contracted last-mile delivery network.
The figure follows a new wave of electric vehicle purchases by delivery partners around the country as NZ Post works towards its commitment to transition last-mile deliveries to low-emission vehicles by the end of 2032.
The target was announced in January 2026 following consultation with delivery partners and forms part of the postal operator’s wider emissions reduction strategy.
NZ Post says the growing uptake of electric commercial vehicles reflects improving technology and the increasingly favourable economics of operating EVs.
The company is supporting contractors through vehicle trials, assessments and financial incentives aimed at reducing the upfront cost of switching from conventional vehicles.
Its Electric Vehicle Incentive Programme provides financial assistance to eligible contractors purchasing EVs, subject to funding availability.
Delivery partners have also been able to trial electric vehicles through automotive industry partnerships, with feedback from existing operators helping others assess their suitability for delivery routes.
One Taranaki-based delivery partner, Jarrod, operates four electric vans and two electric motorbikes.
“The vehicles have performed extremely well. We average around 250 km per day per vehicle and, after more than a year of operation, have experienced no significant maintenance issues,” he says.
He says the vehicles are quieter and more comfortable to drive, while their battery weight provides additional stability in windy conditions.
NZ Post says the milestone demonstrates that large-scale electrification of a contractor-operated delivery network is achievable in New Zealand.
The company has also established a $20 million vehicle financing arrangement, initially with New Zealand Green Investment Finance and now with Sustainable Fleet Finance, to make electric vans more accessible to contractors.
More than 60 electric vans had been purchased through the arrangement by December 2023, with vehicles available for lease or purchase.
NZ Post says the leasing model allows vehicles to become more affordable as they are re-leased, helping contractors transition away from diesel without the full upfront cost of ownership.
Electrification is also progressing across the company’s directly operated fleet.
By May 2025, 70% of its internal fleet of almost 1000 operational vehicles was electric, including corporate cars, vans, Paxsters and approximately half its forklifts.
Around 180 charging points had been installed across NZ Post facilities and employees’ homes to support the transition.
Work is continuing to replace remaining LPG forklifts and petrol-powered motorbikes with electric alternatives.
NZ Post is also expanding its use of low-emission heavy vehicles.
Its fleet includes a Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter electric truck, introduced in 2022 with support from EECA, and a hydrogen-powered Hyundai XCIENT fuel-cell truck operating primarily between Auckland and Hamilton.
The hydrogen truck has a stated range of 450km.
A Mercedes-Benz eActros electric truck was introduced in July 2024 and operates in Auckland, while three battery-electric Scania trucks entered service in August 2024, transporting freight between NZ Post’s Auckland Processing Centre and Auckland Airport.
NZ Post says the transition is being managed alongside delivery partners to maintain existing service levels while progressively reducing transport emissions.
