POSTAL SERVICE BUYS
LARGEST FLEET OF
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
POSTAL SERVICE BUYS
LARGEST FLEET OF
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
The U. S. Postal Service has just announced the single largest purchase of electric vehicles in U.S. history. The Postal Service awarded a competitively-bid contract to the Ford Motor Company for the purchase of 500 electric delivery vehicles, with the option of ordering up to a total of 6,000 vehicles.
"The acquisition of these new vehicles once again reminds us of the pioneering role the Postal Service has played for over 200 years, utilizing innovation and technology in binding the nation together. Adopting this world-class technology benefits the Postal Service and the American people," said Postmaster General William J. Henderson. "We deliver clean air along with the nation's mail. We're proud to be a good, environmental neighbor in every community we serve."
Production of the 500 electric delivery vehicles will begin in the fall of 2000 and continue over a period of one year at the rate of 45 a month. California will receive 480 of the vehicles with the balance going to the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The battery-powered postal electric vehicles can be driven between 50 and 80 pollution-free miles before recharging and accelerate from 0-50 mph in 12.5 seconds, similar to their gasoline-powered counterparts.
Assembled in Rome, NY, the deployment of the first 500 vehicles will result in an annual reduction in tailpipe emissions of nearly 143,000 pounds of carbon monoxide, 11,000 pounds of hydrocarbons, and 16,000 pounds of nitrogen oxides. Since they run virtually pollution free, that means 500 vehicles, with an average of 500 deliveries per route, adds up to more than a quarter of million pollution-free deliveries each day.
The Postal Service partnered with the States of California and New York, the California Energy Commission, the Department of Energy, and several other environmentally concerned organizations to make this project a reality. Thanks to their cooperation, these vehicles cost no more than their current delivery vehicles.
The USPS currently has the nation's largest compressed natural gas delivery fleet with more than 7,500 vehicles, and it recently purchased 21,275 flexible fuel vehicles that can run on either gasoline or ethanol fuel. By The Postal Service's fleet of alternate fuel vehicles is expected to exceed 30,000.
TREMENDOUS BOOST FOR AMERICA'S ELECTRIC CAR PROGRAMS POSTAL SERVICE CONTINUES LEADERSHIP ROLE:
Efficient and Environmentally Responsible Service
Currently operates nation's largest fleet of natural gas vehicles (7,500) Recently purchased 10,000 flexible fuel (gasoline/ethanol) vehicles By 2002 expects to operate 30,000 alternative fuel vehicles.
Remarks
Electric Vehicle Announcement
John Wallace, executive director, THINK GROUP , Ford Motor Company "This is a significant moment in the development of battery electric vehicles," said John Wallace, executive director of Ford Motor Company's TH!NK Group. "Our goals are to take significant environment actions and to help create a sustainable market and support the overall development of advanced powertrains. Putting Evs on the road in larger numbers is a major step in achieving both goals." Contact: Sara Tatchio (313) 322-7998
Congressman John McHugh (R-NY) "This is a win-win for everybody -- the environment, upstate New York workers, and America's postal consumers," Rep. John McHugh, chairman of the House Postal Service Subcommittee said. "I am pleased the Postal Service is making such a sizable investment in this technology. As we look to the future, growth in the USPS alternative fuel vehicle fleet will be inevitable, and Baker Electromotive will be uniquely positioned to continue this important partnership." Contact: Dana Johnson (202) 225-4611
Gray Davis, Governor of California "California has entered into a partnership with the United States postal Service to provide electric postal vehicles throughout the state to further my ongoing commitment to improve California's air quality, energy diversity, and the environment." Contact: Claudia Chandler (916) 654-4989
Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) from the district in Rome, NY , where the delivery vehicles will be assembled, expressed his state's support for the project: "Today's announcement is the culmination of years of hard work that will bring new jobs to upstate New York while improving air quality throughout the nation. I want to thank everyone who has helped me work for this moment, including Governor Pataki, who has worked for years to provide funding to help bring the electric vehicle industry to New York State; Rep. John McHugh, my neighbor to the north who chairs the Postal Service Subcommittee, which helped press this project forward, and Postmaster General Henderson, who has had the courage and foresight to move ahead with this program, which will not only serve the interests of Postal Service customers, but also the entire nation by demonstrating the potential of electric vehicles." Contact: Jim Philipps (202) 225-3665, fax (202) 225-1891
Ray Levinson, manager, Postal Service's California environmental programs "I am very pleased that we were successful in partnering with California energy and environmental agencies to make this purchase a reality. These vehicles are widely supported by both the regulatory agencies and customers we serve in California." Contact: Dan De Miglio (414) 536-6490
Bill Richardson, Secretary of Energy "Today's announcement is a watershed for the use of electric vehicles in the United States. The increased use of electric vehicles by the United States Postal Service is good for the environment, good for the economy, and good for the consumer." Contact: Penny Adams (202) 586-5806
Written by: U.S. PostalService (USPS)
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