The Electric Vehicle Revolution in Delivery Services
In the world of package delivery, electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly gaining ground. Major players like Amazon and the United States Postal Service (USPS) are leading the charge, embracing the potential of EVs to transform their fleets. This shift promises not only environmental benefits but also operational advantages.
Two years ago, I saw my first Amazon Prime Rivian electric delivery van in action, right across the street from where I live. The driver was happy to share his enthusiasm for the new van and even let me take some pictures. He mentioned that Amazon already had around 100 electric delivery vans operating out of their distribution center near us in American Fork, Utah. These vans are part of the initial 20,000 that Amazon has on order from Rivian.
Since then, I’ve seen these Amazon Prime Rivian electric delivery vans in my neighborhood nearly every day. Amazon is clearly the leader in using electric delivery vans, with the Rivian vehicles playing a prominent role in their operations.
My friend working for Amazon in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area confirms a similar trend. His team is also using primarily Rivian electric vans. This widespread adoption demonstrates Amazon’s commitment to transitioning its massive delivery network to electric power.
While Amazon is leading on the commercial side, the USPS is also making significant strides in electrifying its fleet.
The Current State of Delivery Vans in the US
In my Utah neighborhood, the UPS, FedEx, and USPS vans I see every day are predominantly older, gasoline-powered vehicles. Amazon, in contrast, employs its electric vans in metropolitan areas. In rural regions, they often contract with UPS or USPS. The USPS, meanwhile, uses its own vehicles in metropolitan regions and contracts out to individuals in more rural areas.
The USPS currently operates over 200,000 Grumman “Long Life” gasoline-powered vans, first introduced in 1987. Some of these vans have exceeded their expected 25-year lifespan by over a decade. Postal employees in hot climates find them extremely uncomfortable, as they lack air conditioning. Moreover, as these vehicles age, they become increasingly difficult and costly to maintain, as replacement parts are hard to find.
In a major step toward electrification, the USPS announced in December 2022 a $9.6 billion investment over five years. This investment includes plans to electrify 75% of their new purpose-built Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) and a commitment to procure 100% electric NGDVs starting in 2026. This commitment is backed by $3 billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.
In February 2023, the USPS awarded contracts for nearly 9,250 commercially available Ford E-Transit battery electric vehicles. The contracts also included orders for over 14,000 charging stations. The plan was to begin delivering the vans in December 2024. However, the demand for Ford E-Transit vans from other buyers has been very high.
The USPS also contracted with Oshkosh Defense Inc. to replace these vans with a custom-designed vehicle, the NGDV. Originally, the plan was to replace these with primarily gas vehicles. However, amidst pressure from the Biden administration and others, it was decided that the new fleet would be 80% electric vehicles.
Unfortunately, this transition has faced challenges. According to the Washington Post, by November 2024 Oshkosh had delivered only 93 trucks compared to the expected 3,000. The USPS is expected to purchase 60,000 of these vehicles. Even with challenges, these procurements of EVs are still in the works. The few vehicles that have been delivered have gone to Athens, Georgia.
What’s Wrong With Current USPS Delivery Vans?
- Many are well beyond their projected lifespans, making them difficult and costly to maintain.
- They are prone to fires.
- They are rear-wheel drive only, making them hard to manage in snowy conditions.
- They lack air conditioning, which is a strain on drivers in hotter areas.
- They aren’t tall enough, causing postal employees to bend over in the van.
- They have limited cargo space
- They are very inefficient, getting around 9 miles per gallon.
What are Advantages of the New Oshkosh Defense Electric Vans?
- New vehicles with current electric technology, which are much easier and cheaper to maintain.
- No oil changes, no emissions testing, no exhaust system repairs, virtually no transmission repairs, and almost no brake maintenance.
- Air conditioning, especially important for summer in warmer climates.
- Four-wheel (dual-motor) drive, which is great for drivers in the north.
- A taller rear box, allowing drivers to stand comfortably while preparing mail.
- Less fire prone, contrary to what popular beliefs are.
- Extremely efficient due to the ability to capture energy during deceleration.
- Overnight charging enables the vans to start each day with a full charge, allowing them to complete entire routes.
- Airbags, 360-degree cameras, blind-spot monitoring, collision sensors, and anti-lock brakes provide increased safety.
