Australia Post to Roll out 175 Electric Motorbikes for Mail Delivery

The bikes can reach 80 kilometres per hour, produce lower climate emissions, and make less noise.

An Australia Post mailing box with an LGBT rainbow flag is seen in Perth, Western Australia, on March 23, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Australia Post will soon deliver mail with 175 new electric motorbikes to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The new electric motorbikes are equipped with the latest electric vehicle (EV) technology and operate quietly.

The bikes can reach 80 kilometres per hour and do not produce any tailpipe emissions, cutting air pollution.

The electric motorbikes, manufactured by New Zealand-based UBCO Electric Utility Bikes, will be unveiled in all states and territories in Australia.

Australia Post said on Aug. 26 that the new fleet will start delivering in the Australian community next month.

Pivotal Moment

Australia Post CEO and Managing Director Paul Graham described the bikes’ launch as a “pivotal moment” for the postal service.

“This new fleet allows us to electrify a broader spectrum of routes, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and further advancing our sustainability goals. We are proud to integrate cutting-edge solutions that benefit our team members, our customers and the environment,” he said.

The bikes include multiple safety features, including LED lighting systems and reflective red side panels for visibility.

The government-owned mail and parcel delivery company is optimistic that electric motorbikes will help lower emissions, reduce operational costs, and improve delivery performance.

UBCO said it started a conversation with Australia Post in November 2022, and trials began in 2023. Mail delivery field trials were conducted in Sydney, Melbourne, and Tasmania in mid-2023.

In early 2024, the company signed a contract with Australia Post to deploy the 175 motorbikes across Australia.

UBCO Chief executive Oliver Hutaff said they had been trialling an electric fleet since their humble beginnings on a New Zealand farm a decade ago.

“By partnering with Australia Post, we’ve developed a vehicle that meets the rigorous demands of high-use delivery while reducing environmental impact and operating costs. We’re excited to work with Australia Post as they roll out this new fleet,” she said.

“Our latest model, the UBCO Duty, is tailored for companies seeking efficient, low-emission delivery options.”

Electric motorbikes convert a high percentage of energy from the battery to the wheels, making them more energy efficient. The postal service also operates electric pushbikes, trucks, and electric delivery vehicles.

Australia Post has committed to net zero emissions by 2050. The company also plans to source 100 percent renewable electricity by 2025 across its site, including processing and delivery centres.

Australia Post Drops Carbon Credits Delivery Program

The new EV motorbike fleet comes after Australia Post cut its Carbon Neutral Deliveries program on Aug. 12.

The program involved offsetting carbon emissions generated by its delivery services.

Australia Post explained it would focus on reducing its carbon footprint instead of relying on offsets.

“This means that from Aug. 12, 2024, MyPost business deliveries will no longer be able to promote your MyPost Business deliveries as carbon neutral,” Australia Post said in the letter seen by The Epoch Times.

The national postal service said it would focus on its enterprise emissions reduction target, which includes net zero.

“We remain committed to building a more sustainable future and reducing the carbon footprint of our operations and deliveries through the most impactful actions we can take,” Australia Post said.

Electric Motorbike Safety

A March 2024 report by market intelligence firm MotorCycles Data noted that electric motorbikes are far quieter than gas-powered bikes.

A separate electric vehicle review by the website ReCharge Commute also stated that electric vehicles can improve concentration while driving and “may reduce the risk of accidents.”

However, MotorCycles Data says low noise levels can present a “double-edged sword.”

“Because of its lack of loudness, pedestrians and motorists may not be aware of its presence close to them. Thus, the risk of accidents will increase,” the authors noted.