13-12-2018
On 19 and 20 November 2019, IPC will organise the sixth IPC Drivers’ Challenge in the Netherlands, co-hosted by PostNL. The event will take place in Zandvoort, near Amsterdam. Teams from European postal operators will compete in all aspects of the postal delivery chain. As with previous editions, the teams will be composed of a best-in-class driver and a senior manager, who will perform a number of tests on eco-driving, efficient electric car driving, car handling, safety and customer service.
After this year’s successful trial with electric vehicles in Estoril (Portugal), the part of electric vehicles in the competition will be further expanded in 2019. In 2018, teams performed a number of deliveries on the public road using an electric vehicle. As efficient driving in an electric vehicle requires a different driving behaviour, this test presented a new challenge to the participants. The expansion of the electric vehicles tests during the 2019 event will offer new learning opportunities to the participants.
As the share of alternative and electric vehicles in the postal fleet continues to grow, green transportation now represents almost 25% of the postal fleet. EMMS participants’ alternative-fuel vehicles fleet totalled 149,900 in 2017, up 45,800 vehicles compared to 2016 and representing 23.3% of total vehicles. Electric and E85 bioethanol vehicles now account for 48.7% and 28.3% of all alternative vehicles respectively. The number of electric vehicles grew strongly in 2017 as two large posts significantly expanded their electric vehicle fleets.
Invitations for the 2019 edition of the IPC Drivers’ Challenge have been sent to EMMS participants this week. Should you wish to receive further information, please contact Eva Wouters at [email protected].
For more information about the IPC Drivers' Challenge, visit our Sustainability section.