New USPS van

[GeorgeRa]

New USPS van is not alone in the design esthetics domain, see 8:10 to 10:10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLVxaB2nXDo

[Davydd]

Here is a site where you can find more images.

https://media.usps.com/events/NGVD/

[jrobe]

The van builders would love to build on a chassis with tall vertical walls like this. I can already picture the tall shower and bath area. Other than the strange windshield it isn't that much difference in shape than Advanced RV's B Box design or even many of the Class C RV's.

https://rvbusiness.com/advanced-rv-u...-of-b-box-van/

[JohnnyCLE]

The USPS van looks seem to be an outlier in the electric delivery vans under development. The others appear more attractive by intent. As it is said that " a camel is a horse put together by committee" the USPS van looks to be the result of a committee.

Separate from looks the following article is an interesting read on what is happening in the delivery van space and that many of the large purchasers are contracting "private label" solutions. The economics seem compelling.

http://https://wolfstreet.com/2021/02/15/electric-delivery-vans-in-the-era-of-red-hot-ecommerce-tangle-up-legacy-automakers-in-new-competition/

This likely has significant implications for the future work / delivery van volumes and traditional builders. Trickle down effect on Class Bs who have taken advantage of this platform. I was surprised by the average range needed for a delivery van and work vans might be even less. Ride height would seem limited to paved streets.

[GeorgeRa]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCLE

…………………. As it is said that " a camel is a horse put together by committee" the USPS van looks to be the result of a committee.
………………………

............or committees, and the windshield committee lead by the USPS chairman prevailed.

[Davydd]

Minneapolis StarTribune newspaper opinion piece...

Lileks: On the weary feeling you have to have an opinion on post office trucks

[coss370]

I still prefer that over the Dodge RAM Promaster

No offense to the RAM owners

[GeorgeRa]

De gustibus non est disputandum, I am certain you will find someone in the world sharing your view.

[coss370]

Originally Posted by GeorgeRa

De gustibus non est disputandum, I am certain you will find someone in the world sharing your view.

Just my view, all good. It's like I like the post office truck.

[booster]

The new UPS vans in the UK look quite similar, I think. UPS may use skylights like they have in current vans, though, so don't need as tall a front windshield to be able to see well in the rear areas.

[PleasantonMac]

Bringing it all together... this is a listing on Outdoorsy for a modified USPS truck:

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/...125040-listing

[Beachlife]

Originally Posted by GeorgeRa

It is going to take some time to get used to this vehicle. Imagine RV conversion. Cleaning the windshield would be a task. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/pictur...ery-vehicle/2/

Hello, I use to work for the USPS many years, and I retire knowing a lot of the decision process for large purchases, after being in a higher level position and work in HQ and Areas, in Logistics and facilities, plus a few other functions. The major purchases are usually approved by the Postal Board of Governors, and contracted through things like GSA, ebuy, or other bidding. This design decision was a joke and used no common sense. Obviously from someone who rides a computer inside of vehicle. I once encountered a person given a higher level Logistics position at the Area (girlfriend CA) who knew nothing about transportation contracting or big rigs and hauling. She forgot to put the shoring equipment and etrack to secure the load and containers. The driver tried to block in the load, but when he pulled out quickly all the containers fell out the back door with mail went all over on a major street. The Police and Postal inspectors had to secure the area. That was covered up quickly. LOL I bet this one is the same way. The generally the average person in our country does not understand that the USPS goes everywhere and in daily in all kinds of terrain. Electric can not climb uphill like a diesel, and Semi's don't fit into older USPS facilities. These friends and family promotions, as I called them, usually get moved or promoted, and talk a good game. Well the good news is most of my USPS friends are out and we laugh, when we see or hear these stories. Major changes are coming to the PO so hang on. Oh those people in the bottom of the Grand Canyon will still get all their supplies thanks to the Political people of the day 1960 (bet they did not know how to get that down that cliff). Try a mule LOL

[scottohib]

I’m glad that I never had such issues. I love and, at the same time, hate to order anything from the internet because I got scammed way too many times. Once, I had my order in “transit” for six months while the UPS kept on saying that my order will be delivered in 2-3 days. In the end, I had to call them, and they said that my package was lost. That’s why it’s always good to have a good tracking system to be aware of the order. A couple of weeks ago, I ordered from Aliexpress, and I also used aliexpress tracking application. It surprisingly worked, and now I’m able actually to track my order correctly.

[MsNomer]

I think this truck is cute as a bug and my carrier would love to have one.

[coss370]

Originally Posted by Beachlife

Electric can not climb uphill like a diesel

What the hell are you talking about? I can be towing a small airstream (11K total) with my Tesla and go faster than my 9000lbs dually Mercedes diesel. It's not even close either.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by coss370

I can be towing a small airstream (11K total) with my Tesla and go faster than my 9000lbs dually Mercedes diesel. It's not even close either.

Yes. There is a reason why diesel locomotives convert their power to electricity on the way to the wheels. Electric vehicles have their problems, but torque isn't one of them.

[coss370]

Originally Posted by avanti

Yes. There is a reason why diesel locomotives convert their power to electricity on the way to the wheels. Electric vehicles have their problems, but torque isn't one of them.

Yeah full electric might not be feasible for the entire USPS fleet, but it will work on like 80% of them. The rural guys can use a smart hybrid drivetrain and save themselves a lot of money and CO2.

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by MsNomer

I think this truck is cute as a bug and my carrier would love to have one.

I finally met the carrier in my new neighborhood. We were talking vans since he mentioned he liked my RT. So I asked him about the new USPS van. His comment is that he loves the old ones... dependable little work horses that they have been. But then I said... won't it be nice to be able to stand in the rear. He agreed that it will be a huge benefit... and also with the added space for packages.

[Davydd]

My library/office window looks out on the street. We live at the end of a cul-de-sac so delivery vans are constantly turning around in the circle. My next door neighbor, an artist, has deliveries every day. I don’t think I’ve seen an electric van yet but I’ve seen just about every van in existence on the road. So has this van rolled out yet? Most all the Amazon vans have been Promasters. I don’t think I’ve seen any of those 20,000 Sprinters that delayed my Class B.

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by Davydd

Most all the Amazon vans have been Promasters. I don’t think I’ve seen any of those 20,000 Sprinters that delayed my Class B.

In Arizona, the majority of the Prime vans are Sprinters with the rest split between Transits and Promasters. At first in my area of MN, the majority were Promasters, but no longer. It's a pretty even split between the three of them.