Post launches CO2-free delivery in Vienna – Schwarzenegger gives starting signal

For the conversion of the Vienna fleet, the company invested 32 million euros in charging infrastructure and electric vehicles, according to its own information. The major conversion began in 2023, with a pilot operation for electric delivery already running since 2011. In addition to Vienna, Österreichische Post and its subsidiaries also deliver entirely with electric vehicles in Graz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.

Investments and Fleet Expansion

The Post generates a significant portion of the electricity for its E-fleet itself, according to its own information, including through photovoltaic systems at three locations in Vienna and Hagenbrunn in Lower Austria with a total capacity of 5.9 megawatts peak. In addition, the company covers its remaining electricity needs with Austrian green electricity from renewable energy sources.

At the kickoff event at Heldenplatz, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Governor of California and initiator of the Austrian World Summit, gave the official starting signal for CO2-free last-mile delivery in Vienna. The native Styrian had come to his hometown on the occasion of the climate conference. Schwarzenegger emphasized that the Post plays a central role in sustainability in Austria: "Ich freue mich sehr, dass die Österreichische Post AG in diesem Jahr unseren AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT unterstützt und in Österreich eine zentrale Rolle im Bereich Nachhaltigkeit einnimmt." On E-mobility he said: "E Mobilität ist weltweit ein entscheidender Zukunftspfad, und jede Investition in diesem Bereich ist sinnvoll."

Electricity from In-House Generation and Green Power

The ceremony was attended by Economics Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer and Vienna's Climate Councillor Jürgen Czernohorszky. Hattmannsdorfer described the investments as "wirtschaftlicher Vernunft, die den Standort stärkt". Czernohorszky pointed to the significance for the city. Actor and activist Richard Gere as well as former US Vice President Kamala Harris are also expected to speak at the Austrian World Summit on Tuesday, June 16.

In heavy-duty transport between logistics centers and delivery bases, the Post has been using the renewable diesel fuel HVO for two years. However, for the actual final transport in Vienna, only E-cars, E-mopeds, E-transporters, or foot delivery are used. Of the company's approximately 150 large trucks, only six are currently electrically powered.

Heavy-Duty Transport Still in Transition

Oblin sees electromobility as having an economic advantage as well. E-vehicles are cheaper than combustion engines over their entire life cycle, he said. This is due, for example, to the lack of a transmission, "das sonst wegen der starken Belastung beim Verbrenner höhere Instandhaltungskosten verursache". According to Oblin, electromobility in heavy commercial transport is only slowly gaining momentum, but the development will take several more years.

According to its own information, Österreichische Post operates the largest E-fleet in Austria with more than 6,000 electric vehicles. The company pursues the goal of handling the last mile across Austria electrically or on foot by 2030.

On the sidelines of the event, Schwarzenegger also signed an electric Harley-Davidson from the "Jesus Biker" group in Vienna, which had previously completed a three-day tour from Germany to Vienna on its own "Terminator" machine.