We are finding out new details regarding the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) supply deal for up to 165,000 Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) from Oshkosh.
The U.S. Postal Service will finally get new high-tech mail delivery trucks after signing a 10-year multi-billion dollar contract with Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Defense to replace it’s fleet.
However, we are now learning that only 10% of the United States Postal Service’s new fleet of mail trucks will be BEVs. A surprise to many as President Biden voiced his commitment to converting the entire government fleet. 10% is a slow start, but a start nonetheless.
According to Automotive News, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said that electrifying 90% of the fleet ultimately comes down to money saying “we don’t have the 3 or 4 extra billion in our plan right now that it would take to do it.” DeJoy added that she was willing to talk to Congress and the Biden administration about additional funding.
The first phase of the agreement includes the final development of the vehicle, plant tooling, and is expected to cost an initial $482 million.
The USPS and Oshkosh both said that the deal was for a mix of gas and electric versions of the new vehicle. The new vehicles are expected to be fuel-efficient” and low-emission: “The [new vehicles] are expected to be more environmentally friendly than the current LLVs due to fewer trips required and better emission controls. These controls will decrease emissions and help improve air quality when compared to the vehicles they are intended to replace,” the USPS told The Verge. “The flexible platform will allow the Postal Service to purchase the [new vehicles] with powertrains that maximize fuel efficiency, reduce operational costs and allow the incorporation of emerging technologies in the future when they become mature and offer operational savings.”