Guernsey Post adds five solar-powered vehicles to its fleet

Thursday 05 May 2022

Guernsey Post has added five solar-powered vehicles to its fleet to reduce emissions.

The vehicles will be fitted with solar technology from TRAILAR, in line with the company’s sustainability agenda and its pursuit of utilising solar within its operations.

The larger vehicles consist of three eight-and-a-half-tonne Mitsubishi Fuso canter trucks, a seven-and-a-half tonne Iveco Eurocargo and a three-and-a-half-tonne Mercedes Sprinter. 

On average each vehicle will travel over 700 miles per month, being used throughout the day to move large volumes of mail to and from the airport, as well as some large volumes from customers to Guernsey Post’s HQ. 

Pictured: The solar trucks are in line with Guernsey Post's sustainability strategy. 

The cutting-edge, ultra-thin solar panels are fitted onto the roof space of existing or new vehicles and connect the panels to the vehicle battery. Solar power is generated and then used to power various on-board activities, and even a vehicle's tail lift. As a result, the vehicles fitted with the solar panels can save approximately one tonne of CO2 emissions per vehicle each year.

The initiative follows the installation of the largest solar photovoltaic system in the Channel Islands on the roof of the postal headquarters in 2019. The panels produce more than 200,000 kWh each year, which is equivalent to the electricity required to power the business’ fleet of electric vans.

Fleet Manager, Robert Le Page said: “We are really proud of our electric delivery fleet, and we wanted to expand this to our larger vehicles too."

Pictured: Each vehicle will travel more than 700 miles per month.

“Unfortunately, a medium duty electric truck that fits our needs is some way off mass production so as an interim measure we looked at what we could do to reduce emissions now on the daily journeys we make to and from the airport and harbour," continued Mr Le Page.

“TRAILAR’s technology provides us with a solution and supports our aim to reduce emissions and deliver an industry leading sustainable transport operation."

TRAILAR Business Development Manager, Paul Horton, added: “It’s been great to work with a business that is as focused on driving sustainability within all areas of its operation as Guernsey Post are.

“We look forward to seeing the live data reporting back on the vehicles performance, as they now become operational within the fleet.“