Canada Post announced it will electrify its entire fleet of 14,000 vehicles by 2040 as part of its plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

It will spend $1 billion to transform its fleet, with an initial goal of being 50% electric by 2030.

“We have a responsibility to Canadians, and to their children and grandchildren, to help lead the way to a more sustainable future,” said Doug Ettinger, president and CEO. “Canada Post has one of the biggest fleets in the country, over 68,000 employees, a significant real estate portfolio, and an extensive supply chain. The challenge ahead is great, and we know the greening of our transportation is critical. That’s why we’ve committed to net-zero operations and a fully electric fleet by 2040.”

The organization also plans to retrofit facilities, build net-zero carbon buildings, and source renewable energy for its real estate operations.

It has already opened a net-zero parcel sorting facility in Scarborough, Ont., capable of handling more than 1 million packages a day. This week, Canada Post showed an electric vehicle it will pilot on routes west of downtown Ottawa. The low-speed vehicle will only travel up to 40 km/h and will be evaluated over the course of the next year.

(Photo: Canada Post)