
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is upgrading its fleet with new postal vehicles in 2024. These vehicles are designed to be more efficient and environmentally friendly.
The USPS has ordered 50,000 of the new vehicles, which will replace a significant portion of its existing fleet. This is a major investment for the USPS, with a total cost of $9.6 billion.
The new vehicles are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% compared to the current fleet. This is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the USPS.
The new postal vehicles will also feature advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning systems.
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USPS Next Gen Vehicles
The USPS Next Gen Vehicles are a significant upgrade from the old Grumman Long Life Vehicle, which dates back to 1987.
These new trucks are designed to improve efficiency and comfort, featuring enhanced safety measures, air conditioning, and greater storage space for packages.

The Next Gen Vehicles are larger with a vast windshield and bumpers, and a hood resembling a duck bill, making them more noticeable on the road.
Richard Burton, a USPS driver, appreciates the larger payload area, which can accommodate bigger packages, and the fact that he doesn’t have to crouch, helping him avoid back pain.
The old trucks had a habit of breaking down in traffic, which is a problem the Next Gen Vehicles aim to solve.
Brian Renfroe, president of the National Letter Carriers Association, is enthusiastic about the new vehicles, just as union members were when the Grumman marked a leap forward from the previous old-school Jeeps.
The Next Gen Vehicles first rolled out in Athens, Georgia, in August, marking the beginning of a new era in USPS mail delivery.
USPS New Mail Truck
The USPS New Mail Truck is a game-changer for mail carriers and the environment. The new trucks are larger with a vast windshield and bumpers and a hood resembling a duck bill.
They're designed to improve efficiency and comfort, featuring enhanced safety measures, air conditioning, and greater storage space for packages. The redesign comes as part of the Postal Service's efforts to modernize its fleet, focusing on eco-friendly options and improved mail carrier experiences.
The new trucks have a larger payload area, which can accommodate bigger packages, and the fact that drivers can stand up without crouching helps avoid back pain. Richard Burton, a USPS driver, appreciates these features.
A vast majority of the new trucks are electric models, with the postmaster general announcing that starting in 2026, the Postal Service will go all electric with new purchases. This is thanks to a deal with the Biden administration that provides $3 billion for USPS to make upgrades to its mail network.
The new trucks are built by Oshkosh Defense in South Carolina and are roomier with air conditioning, 360-degree cameras, and blind spot monitoring. They're expected to replace the aging fleet of over 60,000 vehicles over the next 10 years.
The old trucks, the Grumman Long Life Vehicle, were noisy and fuel-inefficient, with a projected 25-year lifespan that they surpassed. However, they were costly to maintain and had poor heating and cooling systems.
The new trucks are a significant improvement over the old ones, with features that drivers and mail carriers are raving about. The first of these new vehicles are now hitting the streets in Athens, Georgia, and more are expected to be delivered this year.
USPS Van Costs
The cost of USPS vans is a significant investment. The USPS has a budget of $6 billion to purchase 165,000 new vehicles over the next decade.
The USPS is replacing its entire fleet of vehicles, including the Grumman Long Life Vehicle (LLV) that has been in use since the 1980s. The LLV has an average lifespan of 24 years.
These new vehicles will be more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50%. The USPS aims to reduce its carbon footprint.
The new vehicles will also have advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning systems. This will improve road safety for postal workers and the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many miles per gallon does a new USPS vehicle get?
A new USPS gas-powered vehicle gets 14 mpg without air conditioning and 8.6 mpg with it running. This is a significant improvement over the current fleet's 8 mpg.
Sources
- https://www.cleveland.com/nation/2024/09/postal-service-next-generation-trucks-hitting-streets-for-usps-mail-delivery.html
- https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2024/1030-usps-headquarters-showcases-new-next-generation-delivery-vehicle.htm
- https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/usps-new-mail-truck-debut-rave-reviews-from-carriers/3650546/
- https://san.com/cc/new-modern-mail-trucks-begin-arriving-in-american-cities/
- https://reason.com/2024/09/13/10-years-and-3-billion-for-a-new-mail-truck/
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