Plugit Powers Posti’s Delivery Fleet Charging
Sustainability is a core pillar of Posti’s business strategy. Posti’s goal is to reduce its own emissions to zero and operate fully fossil‑free transport—including subcontracted transport—by 2030.
The nearly 400‑year‑old company began testing electric vehicles as early as the 1980s. Today, electrifying its fleet is a key step on the path toward fossil‑free logistics.
Plugit Finland has supported Posti’s transition to electric vehicles since 2019. Plugit designs, builds, and operates EV charging systems installed at Posti’s properties across Finland.
Rapid growth of electric vehicles
At the beginning of 2022, Posti operated around 100 electric vehicles, with the number expected to at least double by the end of the year.
Electric vehicles are used not only for daily mail delivery but also for parcel distribution and other logistics operations. During the previous year, vehicles powered by electricity or renewable fuels covered a total of 12.6 million kilometers.
“Posti is not an expert in EV charging, which is why we need a capable partner. Plugit can deliver the equipment, technology, and infrastructure as a comprehensive turnkey solution. This operating model is something we have truly come to value,”
says Hannu Simola, Head of Property Maintenance at Posti.
Plugit has also successfully addressed challenges related to limited grid capacity at properties, as well as demanding and occasionally tight project schedules.
“Plugit is an EV charging specialist whose long experience is clearly reflected in their understanding of business needs. They quickly form a clear picture of where charging is required and how much capacity is needed,” Simola adds.
Smart load management in a key role
Properties equipped with EV charging infrastructure generally fall into two categories. At larger sites, electrical capacity is often sufficient without major issues. At smaller locations, limited capacity makes advanced load management essential.
For Posti, load management is not about distributing power evenly, but about prioritising charging based on predefined criteria.
“Load management must take into account factors such as battery state of charge and route schedules, allocating power to the vehicles that need it the most,”
explains Vesa Tavi, Head of Vehicle Procurement at Posti.
“Plugit’s solution has proven to be reliable and robust, helping us overcome challenges caused by limited electrical capacity at our properties,” Simola adds.
Charging needs will continue to grow
Electric vehicles are particularly well suited to Posti’s operations. In mail delivery, routes are consistent and predictable, making charging requirements easy to plan.
In parcel delivery, routes vary more in length, meaning charging must be integrated into route planning.
“At the moment, electrification on the parcel side is mainly limited by the battery capacity of larger electric vans currently available on the market, which is insufficient for some routes,” Tavi notes.
Most vehicles are charged using standard AC charging, but some DC fast chargers are also in operation.
“Today, most routes can be handled with vehicles charged overnight. However, as fleet size and flexibility increase, the need for fast‑charging solutions will grow,” Tavi predicts.
Looking ahead is essential when investing in charging infrastructure.
“Charging systems should not be designed solely for today’s needs. Solutions must be built to meet the charging demand of 2030 and beyond,” Tavi emphasises.
AI translation, Original story published in Finnish
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