Summary
- US Postal service launching new fleet of electric vehicles
- Majority of new delivery vehicles are not electric
- Congress funding to increase number of EVs in the fleet
- Plans to make engine retrofit-friendly for electric drive
- Postal Service awarded 2024 Presidential Sustainability Award
Article
The US Postal Service has recently launched a new fleet of electric vehicles, receiving positive feedback for this move towards greener transportation. However, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is facing criticism for mail delivery issues leading up to Election Day 2024, highlighting that fleet electrification does not solve all operational challenges. The Postal Service’s fleet makeover began in 2021 with the Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) initiative, aiming to address driver safety, comfort, fuel efficiency, and reliability issues. Initially, only about 10% of the new delivery trucks were planned to be electric.
Despite the initial focus on gas vehicles, environmental organizations and advocates pushed for more electric vehicles in the Postal Service fleet. The NGDV contract was awarded to Oshkosh Defense, which had started engaging in EV partnerships. Plans were made to retrofit the NGDV engines for potential electric drives in the future. In response to criticisms, Congress allocated funding to increase the number of EVs in the fleet, leading the Postal Service to switch gears and incorporate off-the-shelf purchases like the Ford E-Transit delivery van and potentially vehicles from EV startups like Canoo.
The new electric vehicles in the Postal Service fleet have received positive reviews from employees testing them out. The agency is purchasing a total of 106,000 vehicles by 2028, including 45,000 electric NGDVs and 21,000 off-the-shelf electric vehicles. The plan also stipulates that new vehicle purchases will be electric-only starting in 2026. However, the questions about fuel cell electric vehicles for the Postal Service remain, with fuel cells showing more promise in heavy-duty vehicles like Class 8 trucks.
While the Postal Service’s shift towards electric vehicles has been recognized with a Presidential Sustainability Award, concerns remain regarding mail delivery performance leading up to Election Day. State and local elections officials have expressed worries about systemic issues with election mail delivery, urging DeJoy to take corrective action. In the midst of these concerns, citizens are encouraged to check their registration status, register to vote if necessary, pay attention to mail-in ballot timelines, consider early voting options, and share voting tips with friends and new voters.
As the Postal Service progresses in its fleet electrification efforts, the focus on ensuring timely and accurate mail delivery for elections is crucial. With an increasing number of electric vehicles set to join the fleet, the agency is making strides towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. However, addressing operational challenges and ensuring efficient mail delivery are key priorities to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
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