Austrian Post is switching to natural gas and electric power systems with the aim to save 120 tonsof CO2 emissions annually replacing 60,000 litres.
As a partner of klima:aktiv, an environmental project for active climate protection launchedby the Austrian life ministry, Austrian Post is committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by 10%until 2012.
“To achieve this goal, we need to implement a series of measures for our fleet,” explainedWalter Hitziger, Member of the Management Board, Mail Division at Austrian Post. “This includes theprovision of vehicles that fulfill the latest exhaust norms, the deployment of of alternative drivetechnology, the optimisation of delivery routes and eco-training for drivers. The sponsorship ofthe klima:aktiv-programme provides an important support when it comes to investment decisions,”Hitziger added.
Until now, over 700 business, communities and associations have been supported with measurestowards sustainable mobility as part of the climate protection initiative “klima:aktiv mobil” withthe aim to achieve a considerable reduction of CO2 emissions. This leads to the annual CO2reduction of 325,000 tons through the conversion of fleets to alternative engines, mobilitymanagement, cycling projects and fuel saving training. As the operator of the largest nationalfleet, Austrian Post has deployed over 70 environmental natural gas vehicles as well as about 20electric mopeds and bicycles with the help of klima:aktiv.
„My aim is an energy self-sufficient Austria which concerns especially the traffic sector asa large-scale consumer. The focus of our climate protection initiative klima:aktiv is therefore thetransition to alternative engines and renewable fuels such as biodiesel, vegetable oil, superethanol (E85) and biogas as well as electric engines,” said the Austrian environment minister NikiBerlakovich.
To increase the number of conversions, the life ministry provides sponsorships tocommunities, business and associations worth up to €1,000 for natural gas with a 40% share ofbiogas and up to €5,000 per electric car with 100% green electricity. Until now, €2.3 million havebeen invested in the conversion of 4,700 vehicles to alternative engines, the life ministryconcluded.
“After Copenhagen, it is all the more important to push the climate protection forward. Withimportant economic partners and the contribution of every single individual, we will continueworking massively on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Austria. Austrian Post is leadingthe way towards climate friendly transition of its fleet and is therefore a very important partnerin climate protection,” Berlakovich stressed.
