Don’t waste money by requiring the USPS to get rid of electric mail trucks

The proposed Republican legislation to force the U.S. Postal Service to sell its newly acquired electric vehicle (EV) mail trucks is an ill-advised and wasteful measure. Since 2015, the USPS has been working to replace its aging fleet of over 200,000 vehicles, many over 25 years old and prone to breakdowns or even spontaneous combustion. After years of planning and litigation, the USPS finalized a contract to purchase 106,000 new vehicles, with 66,000 being zero-emission EVs to modernize operations and reduce fuel and maintenance costs. Requiring the USPS to divest itself of the 7,200 EVs already delivered and cancel the remaining orders would be a significant setback. The Postal Service has already invested over $540 million in electrical infrastructure upgrades to support the new EV fleet. Scrapping these purpose-built vehicles, designed specifically for mail delivery, would incur replacement costs exceeding $450 million, effectively wasting the funds already spent. With most of the existing fleet in dire need of replacement, this provision would seriously undermine the USPS's ability to reliably serve the public. Rather than pursuing an agenda opposed to clean energy initiatives, Congress should allow the Postal Service to proceed with its carefully developed modernization plan. Maintaining the EV procurement not only reduces operating costs but also advances environmental sustainability goals. I urge you to strike this misguided provision from the legislation and ensure the USPS can continue providing vital services with an updated, efficient vehicle fleet.