USPS Navistar 2-Ton Electric Postal Vehicle Test

Ever see one of these in operation? According to the news release, they are being tested in three cities: New York, LA and Suburban Virginia.



While it may be commendable to show off electric vehicles, I haven't yet seen the pricetag for such a truck. My suspicion is that the dollar amount to purchase such an electric vehicle will far exceed any savings as compared to using a similar sized gasoline powered vehicle. I suppose time will tell as to whether or not these vehicles will ever see regular use.

The USPS has budgetary considerations on one hand and a commitment to "green" technology (such as electric vehicles) on the other. It will be interesting to see which option wins out when new USPS trucks are purchased.

I'm sure that you are right about the cost. I suspect that they were purchased with tax dollars. The current administration has spent billions to promote electric vehicles. That would be an indirect rate increase if you pay taxes in the US.

This is a link to a very similar vehicle with a $150,000.00 pricetag. But they claim over a 15 year lifespan it will actually "save" money as opposed to a diesel vehicle of the same size. I suppose it comes down to the outlay of capital costs to acquire them in the first place:

http://gas2.org/2010/05/13/navistar...k/#more-7778

I have heard that the battery for electric cars only last for 7 to 10 years and the replacement cost of same is several thousands of dollars. Given the high purchase price tag and replacement cost of the battery, I don't see that there will be any savings compared with diesel/gas vehicles.

i was looking for pics that anyone might have taken on Google and found that Canada has one of these vans also.

Article dated Apr 16, 2011
http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/1...an-to-fleet/

I understand FedEx is also trying them out, too. Must be some kind of a discount on experimental in-service use for these things to determine viability of building large quantities of these vehicles. As with most vehicles, the price will come down if they can produce and sell a significant enough quantity.

Here's an image of one for FedEx being tested in Chicago:

This seems like a much more practical alternative being developed between UPS and Utilimaster ... diesel engine, 700 cf of cargo space, plastic body. I guess time will tell as to whether the plastic body will stand the long term use (and abuse) of these sort of vehicles, but preliminary testing seems quite positive:



http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/201...nto-service/