Xpress is a new all-electric courier service in South Africa

Xpress’s current operations utilize a fleet of BYD Dolphins for overnight deliveries within Gauteng and surrounding areas. “The company is unique in that we run a fleet of pure EVs,” stated Alex Stainland, managing partner at Special Envoy. He explained that the concept for a courier service grew naturally from their parent company’s 40 years of freight delivery experience, primarily serving the mining industry in Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

Each Xpress delivery costs customers R99 and is guaranteed for next-day arrival if booked before 10 AM. Customers can also track their parcels via the Xpress website. Stainland shared that the idea for Xpress originated from the need for an aligned courier service for his other business, mUther, an online smart home equipment store.

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Xpress began operations with three customized BYD Dolphin EVs, with plans to expand the fleet. The vehicles have been modified by removing passenger and rear seats to maximize parcel capacity. Special Envoy is currently negotiating agreements to roll out the Xpress service in Durban, Cape Town, and Nelspruit.

Stainland emphasized the importance of brand image, noting, “an EV conveys that perfectly.” He praised the BYD Dolphin’s unique appearance, high-tech interior, and impressive range of over 400km on a full charge. The company is also considering adding BYD Seagulls for intra-city deliveries.