US Postal Service next-generation fleet to hit streets in 2023

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is working to replace its national fleet of some 220,000 vehicles with Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV), making it one of the largest electrified fleets in the country.

Aimed at reducing environmental impacts by electrifying its fleet under its “Delivery for America” initiative, the overall budget is seen reaching some $9.6 billion, says USPS.

Being supported by postal service revenues as well as $3bn in funding from the federal government’s Inflation Reduction Act, USPS is currently expecting 75% or more of its NGDV transition to be battery electric vehicles (BEV). 

To start, 66,000 BEVs will be acquired as part of an initial 106,000 vehicle acquisition plan for deliveries between 2023 and 2028. An additional 21,000 commercial off-the-shelf vehicles are also expected to be BEVs, depending on market availability and operational feasibility. To meet immediate replacement needs, USPS also anticipates including internal combustion vehicles when necessary. 

A purchase order of 50,000 NGDVs (some of which are BEVs) with Oshkosh Defense was affirmed in early 2022. It was part of a USPS agreement under the National Environmental Policy Act to acquire 165,000 NGDVs.

According to USPS, first NGDVs should start servicing postal routes by the end of 2023.
 

Photo: Oschosh Defense was awarded US$482mn contract to build electric postal vehicles (copyright: USPS)