Develop Next Generation Postal LLV Using Stimulus Money for Electric Vehicles?
First, here is a summary of paper presented by Michael Ravnitzky, Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) delivered at the Advanced Workshop in Regulation and Competition, Center for Research in Regulated Industries – Rutgers University 28th Annual Eastern Conference Skytop, Pennsylvania May 13–15, 2009. The full paper can be found on the PRC’s website by clicking here
Electric Drive Vehicles For Mail Delivery: Identifying Key Issues
Abstract
Electrification of the postal fleet should be an integral part of the nation’s energy goals. Most daily mail delivery routes are short, repetitive and well-defined, and include many stops, making the postal delivery fleet a prime application for electric drive vehicles. The electrification of the postal fleet could significantly reduce gasoline and maintenance expenses while reducing the fleet’s carbon footprint.
Furthermore, the postal operator can earn substantial revenue in the wholesale electric markets by aggregating and offering on the wholesale electric market access to ancillary electric power from the vehicle batteries. Off-peak charging, grid operator control of off-peak charging, and particularly the availability of aggregated storage capacity would enhance the ability of the nation’s electrical grid to incorporate renewable sources of electricity, sources such as wind and solar power which tend to be variable in output.
Also excerpts from a powerpoint presentation by prepared Erik Toomre of Mobility Future LLC. The full presentation can be found by clicking here
Assertions
The USPS has demonstrated leadership with the size and mix of its alternative fuel fleet.
It is in the national interest to make a highly efficient all-electric postal vehicle.
Use stimulus money to create, test and validate “ideal” electric LLV to set specifications for lowest lifecycle cost replacement LLV in 2015.
Timing is Perfect to use Stimulus $ for USPS Development & Trial prior to Mass Replacement
Source: “US Postal Service Fleet Planning and Management” – Presentation to GovEnergy 2007
Planned LLV replacement beginning in 2015 allows sufficient time to develop and validate key technologies for cost-effective next-generation electric LLV’s
Snapshot of Electric LLV Possibilities
1.“Fuel” operating cost — close to parity in 2008 and then lower cost per mile as batteries continue to improve. [Based on battery depreciation cost plus electricity vs. gas cost per mile]
2.100-mile per gallon (equivalent) economy or better in urban driving
3. Battery module interchangeability and an architecture that does not rely on a sole-source battery supplier and allows additional modules to be added when greater range is required
4. No compromise on LLV mission requirements
5. ~ 76% reduction in CO2 emissions:
Current LLV Fleet generates over 600K metric tons of CO2 per year. [Based on 142K LLV’s * 5K mi/yr * (1/10.4 mpg) * 19.4 lbs CO2 per gallon gas burned * (1 metric ton/2204.6 lbs)]
All electric LLV fleet would generate ~144K metric tons of CO2 per year. [Based on 142K eLLV’s * 5K mi/yr * (337 Wh/mi) * 1.33 lbs CO2 per kWh [2007 U.S. average in electric utility sector] * (1 metric ton/2204.6 lbs)].
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electric vehicles to deliver junk mails? swell isn’t it?
The USPS is going out of business. What’s the new vehecle for? There’s no mail to be delivered.
The first class mail are not coming back. Online and cell phones is the future. Wake up to reality.
Someone needs to pull there heads out of the sand: The FFV will not last till 2023 as the engine is a throw away design from Ford, look at the life span of a 2000 ford exploder, there low resale value shows that the buying public realizes they are junk. The manufactures have already stopped making parts from them causing the USPS to have the needed parts custom built, very expensive. The mini vans were built for soccer moms not the daily grind of a 7 hour route with hundreds of stops, again the manufactures have stopped making parts and this will only accelerate. What happens when Chrysler is folded into Fiat and all small vehicles are from Europe, no more parts for caravans? The Winstar as already been dropped from Ford line, replacement parts are already getting scarce. Walk through a junk yard and see what models are most prevalent? and why, parts are not available. And know the postal service is taking delivery of Hybrids for there administrative tasks which will also be orphaned. The only way this system will survive is that mail becomes so light they will be able to scrounge parts from there own fleet of unused vehicles. But Potter and company will shoot those selves in the foot by selling these excess vehicles for scrap.
it is a step in the right direction. a concept well overdue. GM made the EV1 back in 1990 and it worked well.
when the post office gos under we can sell them to local golf course or hire out as caddys.
Fu#@ the vehicles. Stimulate me with an early out incentive.
Spend more money that you say isn’t there!