Diesel vans at Royal Mail’s Mansfield Delivery Office have been replaced by electric ones as part of the company’s drive to reduce emissions.

As well as the 82 new vans, 22 electric charging posts have also been installed at the site, with the electricity for powering the office and charging the vehicles bought via a 100% renewable tariff.

The move will help the office’s 195 postmen and postwomen deliver letters and parcels while producing fewer emissions.

It is part of a wider plan to roll out 5,000 electric vans to delivery office locations across the UK — making Royal Mail the largest electric fleet of any UK parcel operator.

Johanna Pearson, Mansfield customer operations manager, said: “It’s been great to have the opportunity to be leading the way in the rollout of Royal Mail’s new electric fleet.

“The new vans will become a familiar site on the streets of Mansfield and our posties are really excited about doing their bit to reduce air and noise pollution in the town.

“As a company, we pride ourselves with having the lowest reported CO2e emissions per parcel amongst major UK delivery companies and showcasing the way to achieving a more sustainable future for our fleet and our planet.”

The electric vans in Mansfield can travel up to 130 miles between charges, depending on vehicle type, weather, and load-size.

They also have up to 38% larger load space than the vehicles they have replaced.