The postmaster general for the US Postal Service (USPS) recently committed to making 10% of its new fleet fully electric. The upgrade was announced last week and will replace 50,000-165,000 vehicles over the next ten years. The USPS’s current ICE range of LLVs is almost 30 years old.
As previously covered by Electrek, the USPS’s initial contract was awarded to Oshkosh Corporation for $ 482 million. Oshkosh Corp. is a Wisconsin defense contractor known for building military vehicles. The final decision comes from the postmaster general, Louis DeJoy. DeJoy was appointed by the USPS Board of Directors last May, all of whom were elected by Donald Trump.
The initial announcement of the contract with Oshkosh Corp called for a mix of both ICE and electric vehicles. The news came with surprise and disappointment from many people who believed that the next USPS fleet would be completely electric, especially after the Biden government announced plans a month ago to switch the entire government fleet to EVs. This includes post office vehicles.
The USPS can not connect more than 10% electrically?
Congress asked DeJoy why the USPS could not commit to more than 10% of the new vehicles being fully electric. He replied that the USPS did not need the three or four billion extra to do so. DeJoy follows up by declaring that he is willing to talk to Congress and the Biden administration about additional funding.
Why DeJoy did not bother to work with Congress and the president before signing a contract with Oshkosh is unclear. It is also unclear exactly how much an extended electric roll would cost in comparison. With that said, it is reasonable to believe that it would cost significantly more.
In fact, the USPS has previously been in talks with Workhorse Group Inc. and submitted a bid to the Board of Governors for a fully electric mail fleet. The USPS rejected the proposal.
DeJoy said the USPS will ensure that upcoming ICE vehicles are built on a platform that can be more easily converted into electrical. When the conversion can happen is also unclear. Nevertheless, the USPS has allocated $ 500 million to this case.
Yesterday, President Biden revealed intentions to appoint new members to the three vacant seats on the USPS board. This move will strengthen a democratic majority in the board and provide duality. It would also give the board the power to remove DeJoy from his position. That is, if it feels like he is not fit for the role.
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Environmental advocates are unlikely to utilize less than 100% electric vehicles. However, there must be some understanding behind a mixed fleet – at least to begin with. One could argue that some rural areas do not yet have the charging infrastructure to support electric mail vehicles.
Furthermore, an ICE vehicle can serve better during harsh winter climates. Nevertheless, a 10% commitment in a ‘mixed fleet’ feels like a slap in the face. Such a small portion of a potentially huge contract feels more like a reconciliation than a real rally against zero emissions.
Louis DeJoy says the USPS has agreed to spend $ 500 million to convert the ICE vehicles one day. However, it feels like a point that will ultimately cost the government more in the long run. It could end up as someone else’s problem anyway, especially since President Biden is being urged by House Democrats to fill the vacant USPS board seats.
The White House has not yet commented. Although, a majority in the board would provide a tremendous opportunity for the Biden administration to get its electric federal naval plans back on track. We will keep a close eye on it and see.
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