USPS Selects Ford to Supply Its Upcoming Electric Fleet
The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced it was awarding a contract for over 9,250 battery electric vehicles to supply its fleet across the nation. Ford was the chosen winner, committing to provide 9,250 E-Transit electric vans by the end of 2024. The USPS also placed an order for the construction of about 14,000 charging stations destined for its facilities across the nation. By 2028, USPS has planned to buy at least 60,000 units of its Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV), with 75 percent of them being battery-powered. Since the USPS represents the biggest government-owned fleet, it’s impressive to see the mail service commit to electric vehicles this determinedly.
2023 Ford E-Transit: What We Know
Indistinguishable from the gas-powered Transit van, the 2023 Ford E-Transit is geared towards a different customer base–buyers who want a zero-emissions vehicle and aren’t concerned about range anxiety. Ford will offer the E-Transit in chassis-cab, cutaway, and cargo-van configurations–the only difference between the hybrid and gas-powered Transit here is the inability to offer the Transit Trail trim, but that will likely change in the future. Buyers will also be able to choose between three wheelbase lengths and roof heights.
As for range, this E-Transit is rumored to offer 126 miles on a single charge, but it does feature a DC fast charger which replenishes up to 30 miles of range in about 10 minutes. While 126 miles of range may seem like a little to some, Ford believes it’s an adequate range for the targeted buyers–often delivery drivers and tradesmen. For 2023, the E-Transit promises minor updates, including two additional school bus packages and several new exterior shade options: Blue Mist and Blue Metallic. Ford also added back-up alarm options, fixed shelving for high-roof configurations, and a white noise option as well.
Beneath the hood of the 2023 E-Transit lies a single electric motor tasked with pumping out 266 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, along with a standard rear-wheel drive setup. All-wheel drive is not available on the 2023 E-Transit. Another factor setting the E-Transit apart from the gas-powered version is the fact that the E-Transit also features a revised suspension system to help improve the model’s handling and performance.
Designed as a workhorse, the 2023 E-Transit features seating that accommodates up to two. Rubberized flooring, durable plastic trim, and cloth seat upholstery hone in on the 2023 Ford E-Transit’s utilitarian usage. Cargo space on the 2023 E-Transit is no problem, as regardless of body style, the largest extended-wheelbase configuration paired with a high roof offers buyers more than 487 cubic feet of cargo room–impressive!
Learn more about Ford’s ongoing lineup changes by staying connected via Wayne Akers Ford social media. Check out the latest Ford inventory, including the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, and schedule your test drive today!
Photo Source/Copyright: Ford