Postie in Longreach ditches his four-stroke mail delivery bikes and goes electric

A Central Queensland Australia Post contractor is electrifying his two-wheel delivery fleet with the Duo electric moped, developed by Brisbane-based electric micro-mobility provider Benzina Zero.

David Freeman runs the Licensed Post Office (LPO) in Longreach in Central West Queensland, a town of around 3,000 people and 700 kms from the east coast, and west of Rockhamption.

“It was the practicality of the Duo design that grabbed my attention first,” says Freeman. “There is no other scooter on the market that has this level of carrying capacity, far more than any of our previous two-wheelers, and as we are carrying more parcels today, this will streamline our delivery capacity.

"The Duo is super rugged with no plastic body panels to damage and when we get to end of life there is less to recycle.”

Benzina Zero was founded in 2019 and bills itself as an electric moped and scooter distributor providing built for purpose transport solutions for individuals and businesses.

With a number of electric road scooters, mopeds, and electric bicycles, the company made headlines in mid-2023 when it partnered with pizza chain Domino’s after successful trials with the Duo electric moped.

With a top speed of 50km/h and a range of 105 kilometres, the Duo retails at only $4,650 and can be equipped with a range of storage and carry options.

Benzina Zero have also developed a fitting system for the Duo that will allow Australia Post to utilise its panniers and top box that are currently used on the existing Honda “Postie” – a bike that is no longer available in Australia.

The “Postie” delivery kit for the Duo also includes upgraded folding comfort footrests, a large 53L front basket, a phone holder, and USB charger. The rack adapter mount for the panniers and top box will also fit both the Duo as well as its more powerful sibling, the Duo+, which offers a top speed of 65km/h but a reduced range of 90 kilometres.

“We have purchased extra batteries so we can charge them from our solar system at our post office,” Freeman says. “The benefits of the low running costs and reduced servicing requirements compared to my old bikes [make] Duo’s very cost effective, plus they look amazing”.

“I have already been speaking with other mail contractors who are looking to make the switch and the Duo is the perfect replacement for their petrol two-wheelers.”

With over 2,900 Licenced Postal Operators in Australia servicing regional and rural Australia, Benzina Zero believe the Duo could become "as iconic as the original Honda 'postie bike' but now only silently and sustainably delivering mail."