New-look postie wagon hits Hobart streets

What's red and yellow, with three wheels, a 195kg payload and doesn't make a sound?

Answer: the latest-look Australia Post delivery vehicle.

The national postal service on Thursday launched a three-month trial of the Swiss-made electric three-wheeler across parts of suburban Hobart, with more pilot programs planned for Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia in April.

Australia Post is looking for new vehicle options to complement its bike fleet as demand for parcel delivery grows, spokesman Mitch Buxton said.

"Our parcels business generates over 70 per cent of our total revenue. Ten years ago parcels contributed less than 25 per cent of our revenue.

"While letter volumes have nearly halved, this is another example of how Australia Post is looking at ways to keep our posties delivering for Australians."

With the capacity to hold up to 100 small parcels and 1200 letters - about three times as much as the traditional postie bike - the e-vehicles are already in use in Germany and Switzerland.

In Tassie, transport authorities have provided an exemption, allowing the vehicles to drive on the footpath.

AUSTRALIA POST'S NEW DELIVERY VEHICLE

* Three wheels

* Silent electric motor

* Top speed: 45km/h

* Battery life: nine hours

* Fitted with an overhead canopy and automatic park brake

* Payload: 195kg

* Designed and manufactured by Swiss company Kyburz.