Canada Post headed for all-electric fleet

Canada Post says it will have an all-electric truck fleet by 2040.

The company has committed to spend $1 billion to cut emissions and electrify its fleet. Its interim goal is to have half the fleet of 14,000 vehicles electrified by 2030.

Ian Kerr, vice-president of business operations at Canada Post, and Doug Ettinger, president and CEO of Canada Post, with two of the corporation’s EV delivery vehicles.

At a Canada Post depot in Ottawa on Thursday, the company showcased electric and low-emission vehicles, including some it’s piloting. The corporation is launching a trial of a low-speed vehicle on a postal route covering neighbourhoods west of downtown Ottawa.

Canadian-made vans

The vans in the trial are produced by Canadian EV manufacturer, Westward. The MAX-EV is a compact electric vehicle that reaches a maximum speed of 40 kilometres per hour. It has an estimated range of 112 km from a 15 kWh battery, and a payload of 488 kg. The company notes that up to half of the range maybe lost depending on the payload and use of heating.

The MAX-EV will be used for delivery and collection activities for a year to evaluate its performance in operations and optimal safety procedures.

“Canada Post has one of the biggest fleets in the country, over 68,000 employees, a significant real estate portfolio, and an extensive supply chain,” said Doug Ettinger, Canada Post president and CEO.

“The challenge ahead is great, and we know the greening of our transportation is critical. That’s why we’ve committed to net-zero operations and a fully electric fleet by 2040.

Science-based target

Canada Post has committed to a 50 percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, measured against 2019 levels. The target is built to meet the 1.5°C pathway of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The 2030 target sets Canada Post on a path to net zero emissions by 2050 and will be submitted to the SBTi for approval.

“Our climate commitments address Canada Post’s national operations from all angles. We’ll transform our fleet to electric, retrofit our buildings, build net-zero carbon buildings, and source renewable energy for our real estate and operations,” said Cheryl Hodder, chief sustainability and legal officer.

“We’ll collaborate with our suppliers, customers, partners and bargaining agents to meet our science-based target, while encouraging others to reduce emissions and take action. These are important measures for all Canadians, and we will continue to keep them updated on our progress.”

Net-zero carbon plant

In May, Canada Post unveiled its net-zero parcel sorting facility that will have the capacity to process more than one million packages a day. The Albert Jackson Processing Centre will be a hub for the company’s national network and improve service for Canadians when it officially opens in early 2023.

The $470 million facility in Scarborough, Ontario, is the largest industrial project in Canada with the Zero Carbon Building Standard designation.