The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced an ambitious plan to deploy over 66,000 electric vehicles (EVs) by 2028, making it one of the largest EV fleets in the nation. The initiative, which is expected to cost $9.6 billion, is being supported by funding from Congress and the Postal Service’s “Delivering for America” network modernization efforts.
Under the plan, Oshkosh Defense will build 60,000 purpose-built Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV), with at least 75% (45,000) being battery electric. The USPS also intends to purchase an additional 21,000 battery electric delivery vehicles, representing a mix of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) vehicles. The feasibility of achieving 100% electrification for the overall USPS delivery vehicle fleet will continue to be explored.
The USPS’s transition to EVs is expected to drive substantial carbon reductions through logistics improvements and reduced transportation, in addition to the benefits of transitioning to a cleaner mode of transportation. The new EVs will also feature air conditioning and advanced safety technology, making them safer and more efficient for carriers and communities.
The USPS’s move towards EVs is being hailed as a major step towards a more sustainable future, and is likely to inspire other organizations and individuals to consider making the switch to EVs as well. The transition to EVs is also expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth, as it will require the development and production of new EV technologies and infrastructure. In 2020 Amazon revealed its plans for 100,000 custom electric delivery vehicles from electric vehicle maker Rivian. In 2022 Tesla started delivering electric semi trucks to PepsiCo, with plans to produce 50,000 for North American customers in 2024.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy credited the collaborative efforts of the Office of Energy Innovation and the Climate Policy Office for their support in integrating EVs into the USPS’s mission and transformation.
The United States Postal Service expects NGDVs to start servicing postal routes in late 2023_
