The United States Postal Service (USPS) is facing a financial crisis, with net losses of over $100 billion in the past 15 years. In an attempt to make changes, the agency is now considering replacing a significant portion of its fleet with electric vehicles (EVs), with an initial proposal of 10% now potentially reaching 60%.
This move, however, is far from wise. It will lead to higher taxpayer expenses, less reliable vehicles, and even slower mail delivery times. It’s time for the USPS to rethink its fleet procurement policies and focus on more cost-effective alternatives.
The USPS currently operates a fleet of over 200,000 vehicles, with an average age of more than 20 years. These aging vehicles pose safety concerns, including the risk of spontaneous combustion. To address this issue, the agency plans to purchase 160,000 replacement vehicles, but it must be done in a way that does not add to the already staggering net losses.