PostNL is an established value in Belgium with regard to package distribution. With an extensive network of subcontractors and since last year also its own delivery people and its own fleet, the company is working hard to a sustainable ‘last mile’. Director Sourcing Kenneth van den Brande and Facility Manager Adel Ndali give a glimpse into their van and the choices that come with it.
Almost 99% of the vans with which PostNL Belgium transports packages are owned by the approximately 180 subcontractors. But that is changing, because since a year the company has been working with its own delivery people and therefore also with a limited fleet of its own. “We started at our location in Willebroek with 18 own electric commercial vehicles, all Ford E-Transits,” says Adel Ndali. “They are deployed by 25 employees. In the third quarter of 2025 we will expand this with another 18 Ford e-transits, so we come up with a total of almost 40 cars.”
The choice for electric vehicles is very conscious. From 2030, PostNL wants to deliver the Last-Mile completely emission-free. A. Ndali: “That is why we only drive with electric vans. The Ford e-transit won the tender last year based on driving range, loading capacity and technical compatibility with our operations. Our drivers can control a maximum of 3.5 tons, so the vehicles are as light as possible, so that we can transport the large number of packages as possible.”
“In addition to the weight, the content capacity is of course also important,” adds Kenneth van den Brande. “We need at least 9 m3, which corresponds to H2 or H3. By the way, we do not buy those Ford e-Transits ourselves, but have opted for operational leasing on five years via Alphabet Belgium, based on 30,000 km per year. They were supplied by Van Mossel, with them we also have a service agreement.”
Specific conversion
All own vehicles are adapted to effective use on the road: shelves on the side walls, anti-slip floors, side protection and a passage between cabin and loading space, so that the driver does not always have to get out to take parcels via the side or back door. “That causes ergonomics and efficiency,” said A. Ndali. “We also issued a tender for the conversion of the Ford e-tranits. It was won by M&M Conversion. The adjustments to the vehicles are coordinated by Ford together with that company.”
The feedback from delivery people is well listened to in that regard. “For example, we have learned that shelves are placed ten centimeters lower to improve the work posture. We immediately adjusted that for the next delivery.” PostNL provides training for their own employees, especially with a view to electric driving behavior. “Electric driving is new, it requires a somewhat different mindset,” says A. Ndali. “We therefore guide our own drivers through introduction training and follow -up.”
The vehicles are also limited to 100 km per hour, a measure that at the same time increases safety and optimizes the range. “That limitation does not cause frustrations with our drivers, no,” replies K. van den Brande. “The routes they have to do also do not lend themselves to faster than 100 km per hour. I have already heard from subcontractors that it may be necessary in the winter to adjust your driving style not to reduce the ‘range’. Through digital tools we monitor the consumption and rowing range of our own vehicles, so that we can make the vehicles permanently.” ”
charging at night
The electrical vans are charged to their own loading squares with 20 AC charging points of 11 kW. “We have also chosen the supplier of those charging stations through a tender,” explains K. van den Brande. “The current to charge comes as much as possible of solar panels on our own roofs, but since we drive during the day, it must happen especially in the evenings and at night. That is why we work together with neighboring companies, so that they can use our solar energy during office hours. Today we consciously do not yet opt for battery storage, those investments are large and the generated energy can be perfectly used by other companies.” And fast loading on the road? K. van den Brande: “That is twice as expensive as loading on a charging station. Today that is not an option.”
Anyway, the range of the current range of electric vans are not sufficient today. “For our routes up to 150 km it is sufficient,” says K. van den Brande. “But some regions require longer distances, such as towards Luxembourg. Then you sometimes have to be able to drive up to 350 km a day. We look forward to models that have such a range. I hear from our suppliers that they will be there in two years.”
Incentives for subcontractors
The biggest challenge for less CO2 emissions lies with the subcontractors. “Of the 1200 vehicles that drive around for PostNL every day, there are around 200 electricity today,” says K. van den Brande. “By the end of this year we want to go to at least 300. To support that transition, we provide incentives for our subcontractors. We raise reimbursements for those who drive electrically and come between in charging point costs. Currently, the subcontractors still have 90 electric vehicles in order, those 300 e-Bestelparts will already be required. will only become more. ” PostNL also keeps an eye on the technological evolutions. “If hydrogen or another emission -free solution break through, then we are certainly open to that,” concludes K. van den Brande.
