Remember the old red Australia Post vans? Electric ones are taking over

Maan · 2025-08-21T14:59:36+1000

Next time a delivery driver pulls up outside your home, you might do a double-take.

Australia Post is rolling out a fleet of vehicles that will look familiar, yet completely different.

The change is hard to miss—and it’s not just cosmetic.

Australia Post has announced it purchased 36 electric vans from European luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz, each painted in the iconic red tones but branded with a graphic showing an electric plug and a sign that reads 'I'm Electric'.

Mercedes-Benz eVito Specifications

Range: 283 kilometres on a single charge

Price: Around $100,000 each (retail)

Charging: 100% renewable energy via Australia Post's charging infrastructure

Benefits: Lower maintenance costs, zero tailpipe emissions, significantly quieter operation

The initiative marks the largest trial of electric vans at this scale by Australia Post, forming part of the company’s ambitious plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The rise of online shopping has made sustainability a priority, and the organisation says electric delivery vehicles are a key part of that strategy.

Each van will run on charging stations owned by Australia Post and powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, sourced from a combination of onsite solar panels, purchased electricity, and voluntary surrender of Renewable Energy Certificates.

The eVito vans retail for close to $100,000 each, meaning a purchase at this scale would cost more than $3 million if bought privately, though Australia Post has refused to disclose the total cost to taxpayers, citing that it is 'commercial in confidence'.

The vehicles were purchased outright and are now owned by Australia Post, which declined to reveal whether insurance costs would be higher, saying they would fall under 'existing fleet management agreements'.

'The investment in electric vans is part of a broader package of sustainability initiatives supporting a reduction in our emissions as we target Net Zero.'

Richard Pittard, Chief Sustainability Officer, Australia Post

Last August, Australia Post revealed it was deploying 175 electric motorbikes, noting they would be more agile than the three-wheel electric delivery vehicles already in operation.

Where the new eVito vans will operate has not been disclosed, but they are expected to be used around metropolitan centres. Mercedes-Benz statistics provided to Australia Post show the vans have a range of 283km.

Did you know?

Australia Post goes green Australia Post's sustainability efforts go beyond electric vans—they’ve installed solar panels at 49 sites nationwide, including a 2.1MW array at their Sydney parcel facility, and buy renewable energy from wind farms through the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project.

Australia Post anticipates lower maintenance costs for the vans due to fewer moving parts, and the vehicles will be sold on the secondhand market at the end of their service life.

'The eVito vans are being deployed to selected facilities nationwide, chosen for adequate charging capacity and suitability for a range of delivery routes,' Pittard added.

What This Means For You

Australia Post has purchased 36 electric vans from Mercedes-Benz as part of a major sustainability push. Each van will feature the familiar red design, now updated with an electric plug graphic and the words 'I'm Electric' to show their eco-friendly power.

The vans will run on 100 per cent renewable energy, drawing from solar panels, purchased electricity, and Renewable Energy Certificates. With a range of 283 kilometres, they are expected to lower maintenance costs and will eventually be sold on the secondhand market after their use.

This change is more than just a new look for the mail van—it’s a visible step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future that we can all notice on our streets and feel part of.

https://auspost.com.au/about-us/cor...our-environment/commitment-to-the-environment

https://fleetevnews.com.au/australia-post-leads-the-charge-in-fleet-electrification/

https://cleantechnica.com/2024/05/01/australian-outback-postie-goes-electric/

https://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/pages/LowAndZeroEmissionVehicles/ElectricVehicleInformation

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/2023-mercedes-benz-evito-ev-price-and-specs

https://www.miragenews.com/australia-post-powers-ahead-with-electric-van-1517761/

https://australianseniorsnews.com.au/news/australia-post-delivers-new-electric-postie-bikes/

https://www.energy.gov.au/electric-...icle-basics/electric-vehicles-and-environment

https://electricloans.com.au/exciting-evs-coming-to-australia-in-2025-the-future-of-electric-cars/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_electric_vehicles_in_Australia

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/i...towards-net-zero-transport-and-infrastructure

Australia Post’s move raises an intriguing question—how quickly will electric vehicles become the new normal on our streets?