Chronopost, La Poste’s express delivery operator, said it reduced greenhouse gas emissions inToulouse by 58% in 2006 thanks to using environmentally-friendly delivery vehicles.
The express company said that 70% of its customers recognised the importance of using “clean”vehicles for environmental protection, and 54% of them were prepared to accept additional delays indeliveries for the sake of the environment.
The company’s “Espace de Livraison Urbaine” (ELU), a special collection and deliveryoperation for the southern French city, went into operation in 2005. From a 280 sqm base close toToulouse airport, Chronopost operates six morning and four afternoon delivery rounds. City-centredistribution is carried out with six environmentally-friendly vehicles, including threeelectrically-powered vans and two natural gas-operated vehicles.
Moreover, the reduction in distances travelled during delivery rounds had improved socialconditions for workers, and was economically viable since savings in time and energy offset theadditional investment, Chronopost noted. A similar scheme is in operation in Paris, the expresscompany added.
