PostNL will develop charging plazas for electric wholesale transport, such as electric trucks. The charging plazas are initially intended for its own electric trucks. In time, PostNL wants to open the locations to other carriers.
PostNL has long been committed to electrifying its fleet. Charging electric trucks requires higher power than charging small delivery vans or passenger cars. PostNL therefore wants to build its own charging infrastructure to support the charging of its electric trucks.
The concept has already been tested at PostNL's sorting centre in Nieuwegein, where several tests have been carried out. The company plans to roll out charging facilities for heavy transport in more regions in the coming years.
In time, also open to other carriers
PostNL reports that it will initially set up the charging plazas for its own electric trucks. In time, however, the company wants to make the charging plazas accessible to other carriers.
The company aims to develop a nationwide network of charging plazas, with the plazas being realised close to regional sorting centres. PostNL says it wants this to make electric wholesale transport accessible to the entire sector.
Matching loading capacity to demand
For the project, PostNL is collaborating with municipalities, grid operators and logistics partners. The parties want to match energy networks and charging capacity to the growing demand for electric transport. Through a stake in an investment fund, PostNL is also exploring the development of public, shared charging plazas for mass transport.
"PostNL is part of society in the Netherlands," said Pim Berendsen, CEO of PostNL. "With these charging 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."
Reducing emissions
The development of charging plazas is part of PostNL's sustainability strategy. The postal company aims to reduce emissions from its own operation by 90% and reduce emissions from the entire chain by 45% by 2030.
