The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has ordered more than 10,000 electric trucks as part of its plans to replace its aging delivery fleet.
However, its Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) program will still purchase 40,000 gas-powered trucks.
A contract for nearly $3 billion has been signed between the USPS and Oshkosh Defense for the vehicles.
The 10,019 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are double the original plan for 5,000 BEVs, something Postmaster General and USPS Chief Executive Officer Louis DeJoy said “makes good sense from an operational and financial perspective.”
Electric Truck Contract Sparks Debate
Transportation contributes more to the annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector, responsible for almost 30% of emissions. The Postal Service deal comes under President Joe Biden’s plan to convert all federal, state, local, and tribal fleet vehicles to “clean and zero-emission vehicles.”
The 10,019 BEVs announced account for only around 5% of the USPS’ entire 190,000-strong fleet. Not everyone was impressed by the USPS’ mix of electric and internal combustion engine trucks.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contacted the USPS recently. Its correspondence suggested the Postal Service’s assessments were flawed, including the contribution of greenhouse gasses from combustion engine vehicles and the overall costs of BEVs.
U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, also commented: “The Postal Service must prioritize the acquisition of electric vehicles, or it will be stuck with outdated technology that further pollutes our environment for decades.”
However, USPS defended its stance. The NGDV announcement stated it “generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.”
New Vehicles Bring Fleet Into 21st Century
Many of the USPS’ current delivery fleet are more than 30 years old, and many have outdated safety features. Some 141,000 vehicles lack safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, and backup cameras.
The new vehicles will feature 360-degree cameras, airbags, air conditioning, automatic braking, and a front-and rear-collision avoidance system. Increased cargo capacity should help maximize efficiency for higher mail volumes, resulting in fewer trips to deliver mail.
Flexible Contract Could Increase BEVs Order
The USPS contract with Oshkosh Defense allows the percentage of BEVS to increase if the Postal Service can find more funding for the more expensive BEVs. Oshkosh Defense works mainly in the military vehicle field. The company will manufacture the BEVs and the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles at its Spartanburg factory in South Carolina.
Converting the entire USPS fleet to electric would cost around an extra $3.3 billion. Some of that money would be spent on vehicles and some on EV charging infrastructure.
Electric Postal Trucks Come on Line Next Year
The USPS serves more than 161 million homes across the United States, delivering mail up to six times a week. The USPS has already decided which routes are apt for the electric trucks, and people can expect to see the first BEVs on rounds in 2023.
DeJoy also said: “The Postal Service is fully committed to the inclusion of electric vehicles as a significant part of our delivery fleet even though the investment will cost more than an internal combustion engine vehicle. That said, as we have also stated repeatedly, we must make fiscally prudent decisions in the needed introduction of a new vehicle fleet.”
Big Announcement Part of a Longer Journey
The USPS and Oshkosh Defense contract announcement is significant because of its size and the perceived direction of travel. It represents not only a much-needed revamp of its aging fleet but also an indication as to how large logistics firms view the transition from gas-powered motors to electric vehicles.
The contract has enough wiggle room for the USPS to increase the percentage of supplied electric vehicles while simultaneously recognizing the financial restrictions that prevent a complete switch to BEVs. This is a quandary facing many institutions and people as the battle against climate change gathers pace: how to tackle emissions within a certain budget.
Opinion writer: Tom Shearman
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