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 modify its fleet to electrical automobiles.
The service is also shopping for one other 9,250 inner combustion vans from Fiat Chrysler in North America, now a part of Amsterdam-based Stellantis. The Fiat Chrysler and Ford automobiles collectively will value simply over $1 billion. Ford will begin delivering the left-hand-drive E-Transit vans in December of this yr, whereas Fiat Chrysler will begin delivery the left-hand-drive gas-powered automobiles in November.
“Ford is proud to assist america Postal Service in delivering a extra sustainable future for America by electrifying their fleet with over 9,200 E-Transit vans by the top of 2024. Constructed by our devoted UAW workforce on the Kansas Metropolis Meeting Plant, automobiles will likely 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 Business Inc., and Rexel USA Power Options, the Postal Service stated. Charging stations will likely be put in at a number of Postal Service services together with sorting and supply facilities, beginning within the third quarter of this yr.
“We’re transferring ahead with our plans to concurrently enhance our service, cut back our value, develop our income, and enhance the working atmosphere for our workers. Electrification of our automobile fleet is now an vital element of those initiatives,” stated Louis DeJoy, Postmaster Normal. “We have now developed a technique that mitigates each value and threat of deployment – which allow execution on this initiative to start now. I once more need 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 according to our main supply mission for the American individuals.”
In December the Postal Service stated it could sharply enhance the variety of electric-powered supply vehicles — and can go all-electric for brand spanking new purchases beginning in 2026.
The submit workplace stated it’s spending practically $10 billion to impress its growing older fleet, together with putting in a contemporary charging infrastructure at lots of of postal services nationwide and buying no less than 66,000 electrical supply vehicles within the subsequent 5 years. The spending consists of $3 billion in funding authorized beneath a landmark local weather and well being coverage adopted by Congress final yr.