Current:Home > ScamsThe Postal Service pledges to move to an all-electric delivery fleet-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
The Postal Service pledges to move to an all-electric delivery fleet
View Date:2024-12-23 20:52:41
WASHINGTON — In a major boost for President Joe Biden's pledge to eliminate gas-powered vehicles from the sprawling federal fleet, the Postal Service said Tuesday it will sharply increase the number of electric-powered delivery trucks — and will go all-electric for new purchases starting in 2026.
The post office said it is spending nearly $10 billion to electrify its aging fleet, including installing a modern charging infrastructure at hundreds of postal facilities nationwide and purchasing at least 66,000 electric delivery trucks in the next five years. The spending includes $3 billion in funding approved under a landmark climate and health policy adopted by Congress last year.
The White House hailed the announcement as a way to sustain reliable mail service to Americans while modernizing the fleet, reducing operating costs and increasing clean air in neighborhoods across the country.
"This is the Biden climate strategy on wheels, and the U.S. Postal Service delivering for the American people,'' said White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi.
The new plan "sets the postal fleet on a course for electrification, significantly reduces vehicles miles traveled in the network and places USPS at the forefront of the clean transportation revolution," added John Podesta, a senior White House adviser.
The U.S. government operates the largest vehicle fleet in the world, and the Postal Service is the largest fleet in the federal government with more than 220,000 vehicles, one-third of the overall U.S. fleet. The USPS announcement "sets the bar for the rest of the federal government, and, importantly, the rest of the world,'' the White House said.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who came under fire for an initial plan that included purchase of thousands of gas-powered trucks, said the Postal Service is required by law to deliver mail and packages to 163 million addresses six days a week and to cover its costs in doing so.
"As I have said in the past, if we can achieve those objectives in a more environmentally responsible way, we will do so," he said in a statement Tuesday.
A plan announced by DeJoy in February would have made just 10% of the agency's next-generation fleet electric. The Environmental Protection Agency criticized the Postal Service, an independent agency, for underestimating greenhouse gas emissions and failing to consider more environmentally sound alternatives.
Environmental groups and more than a dozen states, including California, New York and Illinois, sued to halt the initial plan and asked judges to order a more thorough environmental review before the Postal Service moves forward with the fleet-modernization program. The Postal Service later adjusted its plan to ensure that half of its initial purchase of 50,000 next-generation vehicles would be electric.
Katherine García, director of the Sierra Club's clean transportation campaign, called the plan announced Tuesday "a massive win for climate and public health" and a common-sense decision.
"Instead of receiving pollution with their daily mail packages, communities across the U.S. will get the relief of cleaner air,'' she said.
"Every neighborhood, every household in America deserves to have electric USPS trucks delivering clean air with their mail, and today's announcement takes us almost all the way there,'' said Adrian Martinez, a senior attorney for Earthjustice, one of the groups that sued the Postal Service.
In addition to modern safety equipment, the new delivery vehicles are taller, making it easier for postal carriers to grab the packages that make up a greater share of volume. They also have improved ergonomics and climate control.
veryGood! (332)
Related
- Padma Lakshmi, John Boyega, Hunter Schafer star in Pirelli's 2025 calendar: See the photos
- Libyan city buries thousands in mass graves after flood as mayor says death toll could triple
- Facing $1.5B deficit, California State University to hike tuition 6% annually for next 5 years
- Top Chef's Stephanie Izard Shares What's in Her Kitchen, Including a $11 Find She Uses Every Day
- Spirit Airlines cancels release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
- Third attempt fails to free luxury cruise ship MV Ocean Explorer that ran aground in Greenland
- Drew Barrymore Uninvited From National Book Awards After Restarting Her Talk Show During Strike
- UK police pay damages and express regret to protesters arrested at London vigil for murdered woman
- Katharine Hayhoe’s Post-Election Advice: Fight Fear, Embrace Hope and Work Together
- Man accused of killing Purdue University dormitory roommate found fit for trial after hospital stay
Ranking
- NFL playoff picture Week 10: Lions stay out in front of loaded NFC field
- Defense set to begin in impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
- Missouri lawmakers fail to override Gov. Parson’s vetoes, and instead accept pared-back state budget
- Golden Buzzer dance troupe Chibi Unity advances to 'AGT' finale after member injures knee
- Sports are a must-have for many girls who grow up to be leaders
- Why Every Fitspo TikToker Is Wearing These Flowy Running Shorts
- Pablo Picasso painting that depicts his mistress expected to sell for $120 million at auction
- True-crime junkies can get $2,400 for 24 hours of binge-watching in MagellanTV contest
Recommendation
-
Taylor Swift touches down in Kansas City as Chiefs take on Denver Broncos
-
Judge blocks New Mexico governor's suspension of carrying firearms in public
-
Appeals court denies Trump's attempt to stay E. Jean Carroll's 2019 lawsuit
-
Fire at paper mill property in northern Michigan closes roads, prompts warning to avoid area
-
Taylor Swift Politely Corrects Security’s Etiquette at Travis Kelce’s Chiefs Game
-
Chevron reports LNG outage at Australian plant as strike action escalates
-
Argentina shuts down a publisher that sold books praising the Nazis. One person has been arrested
-
What do you do if you find a lost dog or cat? Ring's new Pet Tag lets you contact owners.