Morgan Olson made a special delivery during The Work Truck Show, providing Canada Post with its newest fleet vehicle: the first all-electric C250 delivery van.
While the C250 was initially developed as a gasoline model, Canada Post joined Morgan Olson at the show to unveil an all-electric demonstration model on March 8.
"This C250 has special meaning to me. In the 1980s, I was a member of the team that designed and delivered the LLV to Canada Post," said Larry Palmer, Morgan Olson's VP of sales and marketing. "Here we are almost forty years later, and our team at Morgan Olson listened and worked closely with Canada Post designing this new C250."
See also: More NTEA Work Truck Week coverage from Indianapolis
The C250 epitomizes how Morgan Olson combines advanced technologies with proven engineering know-how to create an innovative and productive next-generation postal truck for Canada Post.
Body design improvements in driver ergonomics, safety, and cargo delivery efficiencies, along with an all-electric demonstration of the EV platform and improved fuel-efficient chassis, provides Canada Post with their newest fleet vehicle.
The C250 features a purpose-built cargo management system engineered by Masterack, a JBPCO subsidiary and partner to Morgan Olson.
Additionally, the 4-wheel drive system option provides postal drivers traction-control improvements during inclement weather and poor road conditions over the previous delivery vehicle in the Canada Post fleet, the LLV.
With nearly 14,000 vehicles, Canada Post has one of the largest fleets in the country and continues to test various battery-electric vehicles to support its plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
As part of its science-based emissions reduction target, the company has committed to transforming half of its fleet to electric vehicles by 2030 and moving its entire last-mile fleet to electric by 2040. Morgan Olson is developing a commercially available all-electric C250, which Canada Post plans to test along with other electric vehicle options.
"The C250 is custom-built with employee safety, comfort, and increased capacity in mind," said Alexandre Brisson, VP of operations transformation at Canada Post. "Developed over several years, the vehicle is made to withstand the rigors of day-to-day use and to help streamline our operations for the long-term growth of our delivery business. Canada Post would like to thank our bargaining agents for their collaboration as we worked together to develop a vehicle that focuses on our number one priority—the safety of our people."
See also: At alt-truck summit, 'infrastructure' the keyword
The next day, Canada Post unveiled its first depot using battery-electric corporate delivery vehicles, reinforcing the company's commitment to electrify its last-mile fleet and help build a sustainable future for Canadians.
The company's Nanaimo, British Columbia, depot will use 14 fully electric cargo vans for collection and delivery services, replacing internal combustion vehicles. As part of Canada Post's plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the company has committed to electrifying half its national fleet of approximately 14,000 vehicles by 2030 and the entire fleet by 2040.
"Last year, the corporation set aside more than $1 billion to cut emissions and move forward on the electrification of its last mile fleet. This critical investment has led to important progress on Canada Post's plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050," said Suromitra Sanatani, chair of the board of directors. "Canadians expect their postal service to play a leading role in the country's transition to a low-carbon future. It's a responsibility that Canada Post embraces."
This article originally appeared in Trailer Body Builders, one of FleetOwner's sister publications.
