The US Postal Service has been deliberating about a modernization of its ancient vehicle fleet for nearly a decade. The odds-on favorite to win the contract was the Workhorse Group, which had proposed an all-electric delivery vehicle, so many were surprised when the USPS awarded the contract to Oshkosh Defense. The surprise turned to outrage… Read more »
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Oshkosh beats Workhorse for USPS contract, new vehicles may use fossil fuel powertrains
After deliberating about a long-overdue modernization of its vehicle fleet for nearly a decade, the US Postal Service has awarded a 10-year contract to Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Defense to manufacture a new generation of postal delivery vehicles. Under the contract’s initial $482-million investment, Oshkosh will finalize the production design of the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV),… Read more »
Motiv delivers first of seven electric step vans to USPS
Automotive provider Motiv Power Systems has delivered the first of seven electric step vans to the US Postal Service. The Ford E-450-based vans will serve a year-long pilot program in California’s Central Valley. The first vehicle will serve routes in Fresno, and the rest with be deployed in both Fresno and Stockton. The step vans… Read more »
Workhorse electric truck could be the next USPS delivery vehicle
The US Postal Service is in the process of selecting a replacement for its aging fleet of delivery vans. Of the 215,000 mail trucks in operation, 140,000 are at least two decades old. The agency began real-world testing of prototypes at several locations around the country in October. USPS plans to replace up to 180,000… Read more »
US Postal Service unveils its first electric delivery vehicles and charging stations
What a long, strange trip it’s been. After deliberating about a long-overdue modernization of its vehicle fleet for nearly a decade, the US Postal Service (USPS) spent a couple more years trying to avoid complying with President Biden’s 2021 directive to electrify the federal vehicle fleet (of which USPS’s delivery fleet is the largest part)…. Read more »
Lordstown Motors files for bankruptcy, sues partner Foxconn
Sadly, electric truck maker Lordstown Motors’ bumpy and colorful ride appears to have come to an end. The company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and is suing business partner Foxconn for allegedly reneging on an investment deal. Lordstown said it will try to sell its assets, and reduce its 243-person staff to a… Read more »
Monarch electric tractors roll off Foxconn assembly lines in Lordstown
The humble Ohio community of Lordstown has played a dynamic role in EV history. The first act of the drama was a typical Rust Belt tragedy—shuttered auto plant, lost jobs. The second was a heart-warming resurrection story—plucky startup builds innovative electric pickup. Next came a tawdry tale of a missed opportunity to electrify postal delivery… Read more »
US Postal Service finally places an order for EVs—but there’s a catch
After a two-year campaign to avoid electrifying its fleet, the US Postal Service has announced plans to do what it should have done in 2021. The agency will purchase 9,250 off-the-shelf Ford E-Transits as a first batch of replacements for its 30-year-old Grumman LLV delivery vehicles. Delivery of the EVs is expected to begin this… Read more »
The redesigned federal EV tax credit and other EV-related measures
Unpacking the Inflation Reduction Act The recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act—a sweeping package of tax, health care and climate measures—was like the happy ending to one of those heartwarming “Save Christmas” stories. We may never know what Machiavellian machinations persuaded Senator Manchin to release Santa Claus, but the merry old elf is coming… Read more »
What’s going on with Lordstown, Fisker and Foxconn?
Lordstown Motors already has a colorful history, beginning with a heartwarming tale of a shuttered factory retooled to build electric trucks. Sister company Workhorse was at the center of a tragedy in which a plan for the US Postal Service to electrify its ancient fleet of delivery vehicles fell apart. Last October, the company rode… Read more »