New mail trucks electric

Exciting news! The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced plans to transition its fleet of mail trucks to electric vehicles. Here are some key details:

Why the switch?

  1. Environmental concerns: Electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
  2. Cost savings: EVs are generally cheaper to operate and maintain than traditional gas-powered vehicles.
  3. Improved performance: Electric motors provide instant torque, making them more efficient and responsive.

The plan:

  1. USPS aims to replace its entire fleet of 180,000 vehicles with electric or hybrid electric vehicles over the next 10-15 years.
  2. The initial rollout will focus on urban areas, where electric vehicles are more practical and cost-effective.
  3. The USPS has partnered with various manufacturers, including Ford, Rivian, and Oshkosh, to develop custom electric mail trucks.

Rivian's electric mail truck:

  1. Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer, has been selected to produce the USPS's first electric mail truck.
  2. The vehicle, called the "Rivian Postal Service Electric Delivery Vehicle," is designed specifically for USPS operations.
  3. It features a 314-mile range, a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds, and a payload capacity of 4,000 pounds.

Ford's electric mail truck:

  1. Ford has also been selected to produce an electric mail truck for USPS.
  2. The vehicle, called the "Ford E-Transit," is a battery-electric version of the popular Transit van.
  3. It features a 217-mile range, a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, and a payload capacity of 3,600 pounds.

Oshkosh's electric mail truck:

  1. Oshkosh, a manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks, has been selected to produce an electric mail truck for USPS.
  2. The vehicle, called the "Oshkosh e-MPV," is designed for long-distance routes and features a 200-mile range.

Timeline:

  1. The first electric mail trucks are expected to hit the roads in 2023.
  2. The transition to electric vehicles is expected to take several years, with the goal of having a fully electric fleet by the mid-2030s.

This is a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly postal service.