Automotive

US Postal Service previews next-gen mail truck with electric option

US Postal Service previews next-gen mail truck with electric option
A preview of the next-generation US mail truck
A preview of the next-generation US mail truck
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A preview of the next-generation US mail truck
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A preview of the next-generation US mail truck

In what it hails as the most dramatic modernization of its fleet in three decades, the US Postal Service (USPS) has revealed the maker of its next-generation delivery truck, which will be built in both gasoline and electric powertrain variants. The new vehicles will carry a suite of modern features, and are expected to start servicing mail routes within a few years.

Today's announcement follows a multi-year competition to replace the USPS' aging Grumman Long Life Vehicles with a more modern, comfortable and safer fleet of delivery trucks. The US$482 million contract has been awarded to Oshkosh Defense, which will now finalize the design and then get to work manufacturing between 50,000 and 165,000 of the trucks over the coming decade.

While Oshkosh is still finalizing the design, we know the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV), as it is called, will be kitted out with a reversing camera, 360-degree camera, frontal collision warning system, front and rear bumper sensors and blind spot warnings. There will also be air conditioning, a sliding cargo door, a walk-in cargo area and air bags.

Oshkosh will develop the vehicle to offer two powertrain options, one with a battery electric powertrain right out of the gate and one with a low-emission internal combustion engine, though USPS says the vehicle will be able to be retrofitted to remain in step with electric vehicle technology.

"As the American institution that binds our country together, the US Postal Service can have a bright and modern future if we make investments today that position us for excellence tomorrow,” says USPS Chief Executive Officer Louis DeJoy. “The NGDV program expands our capacity for handling more package volume and supports our carriers with cleaner and more efficient technologies, more amenities, and greater comfort and security as they deliver every day on behalf of the American people.”

The USPS, which is also testing self-driving delivery trucks, expects that the first of the trucks will appear on US mail routes in 2023.

Source: US Postal Service

15 comments
15 comments
alice80
This does NOT have enough clearance to go over the speed bumps in my city (the 2nd largest in NJ)
HighlanderJuan
If this is to be a universal mail delivery truck, I hope there is/are some improved provisions for winter snow delivery conditions. That seems to be one of the problems with the current delivery trucks.
Username
There have been many electric delivery vehicle highlighted on here. So with many choices available, the post office chooses the most ridiculous looking ice driven monstrosity available.
BlueOak
Feature check:

Ugly, funky proportions.

Check, nose qualifies. Approve contract.
BlueOak
One wonders what the price is of that huge curved windshield part? To replace. Clearly attractive styling was not a requirement. And these things rarely drive over 35-45 mph so aerodynamics was not a thing. So why not a two part flat glass windscreen?
BlueOak
@alice, good point on the ground clearance. Even the current USPS vehicle gets hung up in snow and stuck all the time soured here. This new one won’t help that scenario.
DavidB
This is the same Louis DeJoy who effectively hamstrung the USPS in his efforts to thwart the will of the American people, shutting down and high-speed sorting machines and removing public mail drop-off boxes.

He's not a guy you want running the USPS, and his enthusiasm for this contract immediately makes me wonder how much money is in the deal for him and/or his cronies.
Douglas Bennett Rogers
In view of its financial condition the USPS should be buying USED trucks.
FB36
"next-generation delivery truck, which will be built in both gasoline and electric powertrain variants"

Our world already needs to start producing biodiesel fuel (from all kinds of waste/biomass/trash/sewage), at large scales, for all heavy trucks, trains, ships, tractors, bulldozers, tanks, etc!
(Biodiesel can be converted to jet fuel also!)

& if so then, would not be best to try to get away from gasoline engines & choose diesel engines instead, as much as possible (for all fleet vehicles)?
Derek Howe
Wasted opportunity by not going electric, which excels at slow speeds & stop n go traffic.
Workhorse should of gotten the whole contract...not a defense contractor. (guess it's all about who you know). Good call Biden.
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