WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service is shopping for 9,250 Ford Motor Co. electrical vans and 14,000 charging stations as a part of a transfer to change its fleet to electrical autos.
The service is also shopping for one other 9,250 inside combustion vans from Fiat Chrysler in North America, now a part of Amsterdam-based Stellantis. The Fiat Chrysler and Ford autos collectively will price simply over $1 billion. Ford will begin delivering the left-hand-drive E-Transit vans in December of this 12 months, whereas Fiat Chrysler will begin delivery the left-hand-drive gas-powered autos in November.
“Ford is proud to assist the USA Postal Service in delivering a extra sustainable future for America by electrifying their fleet with over 9,200 E-Transit vans via the top of 2024. Constructed by our devoted UAW workforce on the Kansas Metropolis Meeting Plant, autos will probably be operated by the biggest electrical fleet within the nation serving communities on each avenue nook. Along with USPS, we’re committing to cleaner air and a greater planet,” stated Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO.
Contracts totaling $260 million for the charging stations went to Blink Charging Co., Siemens Trade Inc., and Rexel USA Vitality Options, the Postal Service stated. Charging stations will probably be put in at a number of Postal Service services together with sorting and supply facilities, beginning within the third quarter of this 12 months.
“We’re shifting ahead with our plans to concurrently enhance our service, cut back our price, develop our income, and enhance the working surroundings for our staff. Electrification of our automobile fleet is now an necessary element of those initiatives,” stated Louis DeJoy, Postmaster Basic. “We’ve developed a technique that mitigates each price and threat of deployment – which allow execution on this initiative to start now. I once more wish to thank the Administration officers and members of Congress who’ve assisted us on this initiative. Every has proven real understanding that our motion towards electrification have to be considerate and deliberate, should appropriately handle threat, and have to be in step with our major supply mission for the American individuals.”
In December the Postal Service stated it will sharply enhance the variety of electric-powered supply vehicles — and can go all-electric for brand spanking new purchases beginning in 2026.
The put up workplace stated it’s spending practically $10 billion to impress its ageing fleet, together with putting in a contemporary charging infrastructure at lots of of postal services nationwide and buying at the very least 66,000 electrical supply vehicles within the subsequent 5 years. The spending contains $3 billion in funding permitted beneath a landmark local weather and well being coverage adopted by Congress final 12 months.
