The United StatesPostal Service (USPS), operating the largest government vehicle fleet, is undergoing asignificant transformation with the introduction of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure as part of a $40 billion modernization plan. This ambitious initiative, spearheaded by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, aims to modernize the USPS fleet and infrastructure, ushering in a new era of sustainability and efficiency.
The first wave of electric delivery vehicles has hit theroad, bringing much-needed relief to postal workers who have long endured the shortcomings of the aging fleet. The existing trucks, some over 30 years old, have been plagued by a lack of modern safety features, frequent breakdowns, insufficient cargo capacity,and a notorious absence of air conditioning.
The new electric delivery vehicles, manufactured by Oshkosh Defense in South Carolina, boast all the amenities missing from their predecessors, including a key feature: they are electric. This marks a significant shift for the USPS,which initially cited the high cost of transitioning to electric vehicles as a major obstacle given its already strained budget.
The USPS plans to purchase a total of 21,000 off-the-shelf commercial electric vehicles and add at least 45,000 battery-electric Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) by 2028, bringing the total number of electric vehicles in its delivery fleet to over 66,000.
To support this ambitious electrification effort, hundreds of new sorting and delivery centers across the country will be equipped with charging stations, providing power to the nation’s largest electricvehicle fleet. The USPS has partnered with Siemens, Rexel/ChargePoint, and Blink to produce the first 14,000 electric vehicle charging stations. These stations will be capable of overnight charging, ensuring the electric vehicles are ready for deliveries the next day.
The transition to an electric fleet wasn’t withoutits challenges. DeJoy’s initial proposal to make 90% of the first wave of NGDVs gasoline-powered sparked outrage from environmental advocates, who ultimately filed lawsuits demanding the USPS electrify its fleet.
DeJoy, citing the high cost of the vehicles and the expense of installing thousands of charging stations,initially resisted the push for electrification. However, after a meeting with John Podesta, the Biden administration’s chief environmental advisor, DeJoy secured a $3 billion grant from the government, partially dedicated to installing electric charging stations.
Ultimately, in December 2022, DeJoy announced the USPS would purchase106,000 vehicles, including 60,000 NGDVs (with 45,000 being electric) and 21,000 other electric vehicles. He also pledged that all new vehicle purchases from 2026 onwards would be electric.
The USPSnow projects a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. This year, the agency also received the Presidential Federal Sustainability Award, marking a successful conclusion to what DeJoy calls a fun journey.
The USPS’s commitment to electric vehicles signifies a major step towards a more sustainable future for theagency and the nation. This ambitious modernization plan, coupled with the growing adoption of electric vehicles across the country, promises to significantly reduce emissions and improve air quality, while also enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the USPS fleet.
Views: 0