Huffman Blasts USPS Record of Decision to Move Forward Contested Vehicle Purchasing Contract, Ignore Electrification Goals

Under current plan, up to 90% of vehicles purchased will be gasoline run instead of climate-friendly batteries

February 24, 2022

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) released the below statement following the announcement that the U.S. Postal Service has authorized the replacement of its mail-truck fleet with nearly all gasoline-powered vehicles built by Oshkosh Corp.:

“I’m incredibly disappointed to see the USPS move forward with this woefully inadequate contract. Squandering this once-in-a-generation opportunity by spending billions of dollars on vehicles that will be custom built for obsolescence and defying President Biden’s electrification goals is utterly unacceptable,” said Rep. Huffman. “By investing in modern, efficient vehicles we can transform the USPS into a global leader in efficiency and innovation, helping revitalize the beleaguered Postal Service and saving taxpayers billions of dollars each year. With so many questions and concerns surrounding the NGDV contract, with critical legislation pending, and with a new board majority on the horizon, the USPS should not proceed with this contract.”

Earlier this month, Rep. Huffman joined Congressional colleagues in calling on the USPS to change the procurement plan to dramatically increase the electrification of the mail delivery fleet. Further, last year, following the contract award to Oshkosh, Rep. Huffman led a letter to the USPS Board of Governors requesting they halt the 10-year contract to produce up to 165,000 Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) until the contract can be reviewed and the three vacancies on the Board of Governors are filled.