In February, the USPS said it would purchase 5,000 all-electric versions of its Next-Generation Delivery Vehicle, with the remaining 45,000 of the initial order being gas-powered trucks. After the Biden administration’s backlash and the USPS’ resistance to it, the agency gradually increased the proportion of EVs on order.
Now, the postal service aims to purchase at least 60,000 Next-Generation Delivery Vehicles by 2028, of which at least 75% will be electric models. The USPS expects all NGDV purchases to be electrified versions starting in 2026. NGDVs are expected to become operational on delivery routes late next year. In addition, the agency plans to purchase 21,000 more off-the-shelf EVs by 2028.
The stage in cargo distribution is electric vehicles!
Overall, the USPS plans to purchase 106,000 delivery vehicles by the end of 2028 to begin replacing its aging, inefficient and unsafe fleet of more than 220,000 vehicles. That means the agency aims to purchase around 40,000 gas-powered models over the next six years. The USPS said in a statement that the feasibility of fully electrifying the fleet “will continue to be investigated”. However, he believes there will be more EV availability in the future that will definitely help.
The agency expects to spend $9.6 billion on these vehicle purchases and related infrastructure, of which $3 billion comes from Inflation Reduction Act funding. “The $3 billion provided by Congress has significantly reduced the risk associated with accelerating the implementation of a nationwide infrastructure needed to electrify our delivery fleet,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “While most of the electric vehicle funding will continue to come from Postal Service revenues, we are grateful for the confidence that Congress and the Administration have placed in us to build and purchase what has the potential to become the largest fleet of electric vehicles in the country.