In a boost for online shoppers and local manufacturing, Australia Post today announced the trial of a new Australian-built three-wheeled electric delivery vehicle.
Built in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, the new Stealth OzPOD, will service residents in the suburb of Lilydale over a five-week period, as Australia Post tests its features over different terrains, in a bid to complement existing electric vehicles in operational use.
Australia Post General Manager Network Optimisation, Mitch Buxton, said Lilydale is a perfect area to trial the new vehicle, with locals increasingly embracing online shopping, and more small parcels being delivered than ever before.
“We know that residents in Lilydale love online shopping. Health and beauty, fashion, and media are the most popular purchases among residents within the trial area,” Mr Buxton said.
“In fact the yearly growth rate in Lilydale is higher than the national average at close to 21 per cent. The area saw almost 79 per cent of households purchasing online in 2018, above the national average of 73 per cent.
“The Stealth OzPOD has been developed over the past two and a half years, and is designed to cater for Australian conditions, with added safety and stability, wet weather, and gradient and surface measures.
“As our business continues to transform, we are equipping our posties to deliver more small parcels. In February we announced an order of 1,000 Swiss-built three-wheeled electric delivery vehicles, so this trial is another example of how we are looking at ways to keep our posties delivering for Australians and supporting local manufacturing businesses.”
The Stealth OzPod has an increased carrying capacity of up to 720 litres and can travel up to 50 km/h. Australia Post will use the trial to review the vehicle’s performance and identify where it can be introduced.
