Serbia’s postal service starts going electric

The Serbian state-owned postal company Pošta Srbije is adding more electric vans to its fleet. Following the 31 Logistar 200s from the manufacturer Cenntro, which were deployed in Serbia's second largest city, Novi Sad, from the end of August, it now took delivery of another 95 new Logistar 260s. (Update at the end of the article)

The 31 vehicles will replace older internal combustion vehicles for deliveries in the city centre, according to the manufacturer. Serbia Post plans to electrify its entire fleet in Novi Sad, and has announced that more electric transporters, electric mopeds, e-bikes and also electric trucks are to be procured for this purpose.

The Cenntro Logistar 200 is a 4.77-meter-long electric transporter with up to 6.9 cubic meters of cargo volume and a one-ton payload. The vehicle was unveiled at the IAA Transportation show last fall. The range includes various versions (Transporter and Cargo), which are also available with a refrigerated body on request – Pošta Srbije is likely to have omitted this option.

The battery has an energy content of 41.5 kWh and liquid cooling. Cenntro specifies the range as 264 kilometres. Thanks to the cooling system, the battery is also fast-chargeable. The company does not state the maximum charging capacity, but it is manageable by modern e-car standards: the Logistar 200 is said to need 45 minutes for the charging stroke from 20 to 80 per cent. Assuming that the 41.5 kWh is the net usable energy content, 25 kWh must be charged for the lift from 20 to 80 per cent – so the average charging power in this range is 33 kW.

Zoran Dordevic, acting general director of the Serbian Post, stated, according to a media report, that the e-vehicles are just one of many measures the Post is taking “to renew all phases of the technological process and infrastructure.” For example, he said, the first solar panels were also recently installed on the buildings – for now in Kragujevac, Novi Saf, Belgrade and Nis are to follow. The solar power is to be used for charging the electric delivery fleet and operating the sorting machines.

Update 5 March 2024

Serbia’s postal service has added another 95 electric vans to its delivery fleet. The 95 new Logistar 260s from the manufacturer Cenntro will be used in urban areas and regional centres throughout the country.

There are no further details about the new vans. Instead, an accompanying press release states that the electric delivery vehicles would offer a high level of performance and efficiency due to their technical characteristics.

Posta Srbije is also continuing its efforts to modernise its operations, find environmentally friendly solutions and improve the quality of life in the cities in which it operates, among other things. However, without giving further details.

businesswire.com, balkangreenenergynews.com, posta.rs (Update, in Serbian)