Snail Mail Goes Green

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is ready to deliver your mail greener and quieter. As it begins to replace its aging fleet of more than 220,000 vehicles, USPS expects to acquire at least 66,000 battery electric delivery vehicles as part of its 106,000 vehicle acquisition plan between now and 2028.

As part of a $9-billion investment, the USPS anticipates increasing the quantity of purpose-built Next Generation Delivery Vehicles to a minimum of 60,000. Of these, at least 45,000 will be battery electric by 2028. Plans call for vehicle acquisitions delivered in 2026 and thereafter to be 100% electric. As it explores the possibility of a 100% electric fleet, USPS also expects to purchase an additional 21,000 battery electric delivery vehicles through 2028.

Mail carriers also will see benefits. The new vehicles will offer air conditioning and advanced safety technology—options unavailable in the older models the USPS is replacing.