Modernization of the Postal Service’s “Delivering for America” Network and Funding from Congress Strengthen the Initiative

By 2028, the Postal Service hopes to have at least 60,000 purpose-built Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV), at least 45,000 of which will be battery-powered. Deliveries of NGDV are anticipated to be 100% electric starting in 2026.

Through 2028, the Postal Service plans to add 21,000 battery-electric delivery vehicles, a mix of which will be commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) models. Deliveries between 2026 and 2028 are anticipated to be entirely electric.

We’ll keep looking at the viability of electrifying the whole fleet of delivery vehicles used by the Postal Service.

Beyond modifying the mix of vehicles, postal network modernisation initiatives will result in further significant carbon reductions through improved logistics and less transit.

$9.6 billion in total investments are anticipated, $3 billion of which will come from Inflation Reduction Act monies.

The United States Postal Service revealed today that as part of its 106,000 vehicle acquisition plan for deliveries between now and 2028, it anticipates purchasing at least 66,000 battery electric delivery vehicles. The Postal Service’s roughly 220,000-strong aged delivery fleet will start to be replaced with the vehicles that will be bought as part of this expected plan.

The Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV), of which at least 60,000 (45,000) will be battery-electric, are expected to be used by the Postal Service. Depending on market availability and operational viability, a total of 21,000 additional commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) vehicles are anticipated to be battery electric as part of this plan. Additionally, the Postal Service plans to include any internal combustion vehicles required to fulfil urgent vehicle replacement requirements.

These vehicles, unlike the ones they are replacing, will have air conditioning and advanced safety technology and are more suited to modern operational requirements. This is in keeping with the Postal Service’s priority to provide its carriers and communities with safer, more efficient vehicles as soon as possible. The Postal Service will give domestic manufacture preference when purchasing any COTS vehicles.

The Postal Service’s overall network modernization initiatives, which allow for a quicker deployment of EVs, and its improving financial situation, which includes $3 billion in congressional cash allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act, are what made today’s announcement possible (IRA).

In order to be more responsive to its changing operational strategy, technological advancements, and shifting market conditions, including the anticipated increased availability of BEV options in the future, the Postal Service will continue to evaluate and purchase vehicles over shorter time periods.

Source: Prnewswire