Each depot will get a pair of the electric vans, which are not officially sold in Australia, and charging points supplied by GreenPower-accredited sources.

The vans will be used on delivery routes and join a fleet which includes 740 electric bikes, 125 hybrid cars and trucks and a 5% biodiesel mix for diesel delivery vehicles.

Australia Post's head of environmental sustainability, Andrew Sellick said:  ‘The Kangoo proof-of-concept will give us a clearer picture of the benefits of using electric powered delivery vans. Through this assessment we expect to see at least a 50% reduction in energy costs and a 100% reduction in carbon emissions to comparable combustible-engine vehicles in our fleet.’