Isle of Man Post Office is introducing six electric vehicles into its delivery fleet.

The state-run service says it wants to reduce its carbon footprint and ’generate efficiencies’.

Three of the six Nissan e-NV200 vehicles, bought from Ballasalla-based dealer Athol Garage, arrived at postal headquarters last week and are currently being tested as part of a pilot to evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness on the island’s roads for use on deliveries and collections.

The remaining three vans are due to be on the road by the end of August.

If the vehicles prove to be a success, the Post Office says it will seek to introduce more electric vans into its fleet.

The vans will be easy to spot a as they are white with Post Office branding, rather than the traditional red livery.

Independent research as well as practical feedback obtained from the Post Office’s counterparts in Guernsey and Jersey, which are already using the Nissan e-NV200 vehicles, show that the electric vans are suitable for island roads and the stop and start nature of our operation.

The Post Office says theyy also have enough load capacity to deliver parcels, the number of which is growing as internet mail order shopping has become more popular.

A press release says: ’The introduction of the electric vehicles forms part of the Post Office’s values to drive innovation and creativity and supports its strategy of a customer-focussed commercial and innovative culture

’The vans are also in line with the aims to reduce carbon emissions and innovative approaches to making businesses more energy efficient as outlined in the Isle of Man’s Programme for Government 2016-2021.’

Lisa Duckworth, Post Office interim chief executive, said: ’Electric vehicles have come a long way in recent years and the current Nissan model is one of the best on the market.

’Our research has shown that other post offices have benefited from similar vehicles, not only in saving costs, but also reducing their carbon footprint and we are looking forward to putting our new vehicles through their paces to explore how well they suit our island operation.’

John Higginbotham, Post Office fleet manager, said: ’We are pleased to introduce the new electric vehicles to our fleet.

’Not only are they fantastic in helping reduce our overall carbon footprint on the island, but they have also gone down well with our staff who have reported that the driving position and exiting of the vehicle is a lot better than the other vehicles in our fleet.

’The white vans, which carry our usual branding, were purchased to distinguish them from the rest of the fleet but the intention post trial is to retain the fleet in its traditional colour.’