The Battle Over Electric Mail Vans Continues
The United States Postal Service (USPS) currently operates around 7,200 electric vehicles, including Ford e-Transit cargo vans and electric variants of Oshkosh’s Next-Generation Delivery Vehicle. Despite the potential for significant cost savings and environmental benefits, the future of electric mail vans has been a contentious issue.
Senate Republicans’ Opposition
Senate Republicans have argued that scrapping the electric vehicle program would “focus USPS on delivering mail and not achieving the environmental aims pushed by the Biden administration.” However, this rationale has been met with skepticism, as the electric mail vans have been shown to be modern, effective, and cost-efficient.
The USPS has warned that abandoning the electric vehicle program would result in a $1.5 billion loss, including $1 billion to replace the current fleet of EVs and $500 million in EV infrastructure that would become obsolete. The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, has ruled that a provision to force the sale of electric mail vans cannot be approved via a simple majority vote, requiring instead a 60-vote supermajority.
Practicality of Electric Mail Vans
From a practical perspective, local mail delivery is an ideal application for electric vehicles, with characteristics such as low average vehicle speeds, frequent stops, and relatively short routes. Private sector couriers like FedEx and UPS are already adopting electric mail vans for city routes, demonstrating the viability of this approach.
New EV Charging Regulations
Recent changes to the National Electrical Code will soon require homeowners to hire a professional electrician to install hardwired Level 2 charging stations. While this may enhance safety, it also raises concerns about added costs and potential workarounds.
Some homeowners may opt to install a NEMA 14-50 outlet and plug in a compatible Level 2 charger, although this approach carries additional risks. The National Fire Protection Association has ratified the new code, which will be adopted by individual states.
EV Battery Degradation Study
A recent study by Telematics firm Geotab has shown that EV battery degradation has improved significantly, with batteries now losing an average of 1.8% of their original capacity per year. This suggests that EV batteries could last 20 years or more, a promising finding for fleet operators and individual owners.
However, the study also notes that after 20 years, EV batteries may retain only 64% of their original capacity, potentially limiting their appeal for long-term use.
UAW Scandal
The United Auto Workers (UAW) is facing a new scandal, with allegations that the union failed to reinvest funds according to policy after a strike in 2023. The UAW could have potentially missed out on $80 million due to this irregularity, which is now under investigation by the feds.
This controversy comes at a challenging time for the UAW, with weakening organization momentum and internal disputes.
