Sustainable logistics
We’re taking responsibility
Rich Content Section
Our drive towards green
Carbon-neutral delivery in the cities of Bern and Zurich
For our logistics, we have the largest fleet of electric vehicles in Switzerland. In Zurich and Bern, we have been delivering all letters and parcels emission-free using Swiss Post e-vehicles since 1 February 2023. We will gradually implement the carbon-neutral delivery of all letters and parcels throughout Switzerland by 2030.
In the city of Zurich, we use 129 electric four-wheel vehicles and 263 electric three-wheelers to deliver 118 million letters and 7.9 million parcels emissions-free. In the city of Bern, we use 65 electric four-wheel vehicles and 111 electric three-wheelers to deliver 39 million letters and 3.4 million parcels emissions-free to the city’s residents.
With targeted measures and new technologies, we are reducing our carbon emissions in order to be carbon neutral in our own operations by 2030. This is how we are contributing to saving the environment and the future of our planet. By making carbon-neutral deliveries in Zurich and Bern, for example, we are saving 1,436 tonnes of CO2 a year. This equates to one person making 718 return flights between Zurich and New York.
The following information is up to date as at February 2023.
How we're switching to e-mobility
Switzerland-wide by the end of 2030
- With around 7,200 electric vehicles, we operate the largest electric fleet in Switzerland. It currently comprises around 6,000 electric three-wheeler delivery vehicles, 580 electric four-wheel delivery vehicles and 630 other electric vehicles.
- This enables us to deliver around 41 million parcels and all letters carbon-neutrally every year. In Bern and Zurich alone, we use our electric vehicles to deliver to nearly 340,000 households in Switzerland.
- We operate the e-vehicles exclusively with “naturemade”-certified eco-electricity from Switzerland.
- In 2009, we started to replace our three-wheelers with electric three-wheelers. Since 2017, only electric three-wheelers have been on the road for Swiss Post.
- By 2030, we will replace all fossil-fuel delivery vehicles with sustainable electric vehicles for delivery.
- By the end of 2024, we will have equipped around 50 additional sites with e-vehicles and e-charging stations in addition to those in the Zurich, Bern, Geneva and Basel metropolitan areas. The remaining delivery sites will follow by 2030.
How we’re conserving resources
Saving: 7,000 tonnes of CO2 per year
An electric four-wheeler saves six tonnes of CO2 annually compared to a fossil-fuel vehicle. An electric scooter requires around six times less energy than a petrol scooter. The electrification of the fleet currently saves 7,000 tons of CO2 per year, which corresponds to 3,500 round-trip flights by one person between Zurich and New York. Savings will grow steadily as fossil-fuel vehicles are replaced with electric vehicles.
Recycling batteries
The manufacturer of Swiss Post’s electric three-wheelers, Kyburz Switzerland AG, uses a MultiLife concept. The company utilizes used batteries for 2nd-life vehicles or recycles them in an innovative process. This means 95 percent of the entire battery can be reused.
Film: Sustainable logistics
Energy efficiency
Lean & Green award
Swiss Post is taking measures to achieve its climate and energy targets not only in delivery, but also in processing and internal transport.
Lean & Green
From 2016 to 2020, we were able to increase energy efficiency by over 20 percent in the parcel segment. This earned us the first of five stars from the Lean & Green initiativeTarget not accessible. The action plan comprised measures such as training in eco-driving techniques, optimized transport logistics systems and processes, procuring electric vehicles, and blending biodiesel. Swiss Post is now aiming for its second Lean & Green star.
In 2008, the Lean & Green initiative was launched in the Netherlands on behalf of the government. It is now established in 14 countries and boasts more than 500 participating companies. Alongside the results-orientated practice for CO2 measurement and reduction, one of the strengths of the initiative is the ongoing development and networking of the participants.
Sustainable energy sources
- Since 2022, all self-operated branches have operated with 100 percent “naturemade star”-certified green power. Our My Post 24 terminals are also fully operated with green power.
- Our processing centers are equipped with energy-saving LED lighting. Because our outside lighting is operated with smart controls, we save on energy and help reduce light pollution.
- The solar panels on the roofs of our processing centers supply a total of 10.3 gigawatt hours of electricity per year. This is equivalent to the annual electricity usage of 4,000 households.
- Unused green spaces around our processing centers provide valuable living space for plant and insect life. What’s more, the roof of the Zurich-Mülligen letter center is also home to a bee colony.
Road and rail
Environmentally friendly by rail
Roughly 50 percent of all letters and parcels handled by Swiss Post currently travel at least some of their distance by rail. Due to the environmental benefits of rail transport, we want to significantly expand the amount of mail that we transport by rail in the future. That’s why we are starting our “rail offensive”. Our goal is to double the proportion of parcels transported by rail along the east-west axis.
We are promoting the switch to alternative drive systems in the trucks used by our transport companies. We currently have five trucks with hydrogen and electric drive systems in operation. By 2040, we also want to operate a completely carbon-neutral supply chain.
