I wonder how that figure is calculated. Here, in Seattle, I've noticed
that most of the deliveries are by minivan which I presume averages much
better than 7mpg (maybe 15-20?). They'll drive a couple blocks, do
deliveries on foot, then drive a few more blocks.
There are also the small trucks for large packges and special deliveries
which probably do get about 7mph. Those, at least, it seems could be
replaced by EVs.
If 7mpg includes their tractor trailer rigs it makes it hard to compare
7mpg to anything and shouldn't, I think, be included in the average.
Those trucks carry a lot of items compared to what an in-city fleet
carries per vehicle.
Peri
------ Original Message ------
From: "EVDL Administrator via EV" <[email protected]>
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <[email protected]>
Sent: 29-Jun-14 12:57:19 PM
Subject: Re: [EVDL] EV potential - Postal Service and 7 MPG average
It seems like a natural, doesn't it? However, over the years, the USPS
has
run several trials of EVs. None of them has ever resulted in
significant
additions of EVs to their regular fleet.
Similarly, there have been many pilot programs in Europe. I don't know
of
any which has yet resulted in significant EV uptake.
Finland's post used EVs, Elcats, and I think also a composite-bodied
custom
design, for several years in the 1980s. They seemed to be pretty
sincere
about it. But last I heard, they had eventually given up that program.
When I visited the postal museum in Helsinki in 1996, one of their EV
delivery vehicles was on display (unrestored and looking quite weary).
(Finland in general is not EV friendly at all. They have no subsidies
or
other EV incentives, and in fact have a DISincentive, a surtax on EVs,
as
has been proposed here. One Finnish EVDLer from years ago said he
thought
this was because the Finnish government was unwilling to forgo the
large
short-term tax revenues from ICEVs for the sake of long-term
environmental
benefit of EVs.)
In the mid- to late-1990s, German Post did an extensive trial of EVs
powered
by zinc-air batteries (fuel cells, really) using zinc "cassettes." The
battery manufacturer was an Israel company, if memory serves. The trial
carried on for quite a while but in the end I believe they concluded it
wasn't a practical system. Last I heard, the battery company (Electric
Fuel
Corporation?) had moved into lithium battery development.
It appears to me that EVs have not yet been a success in postal
delivery. I
can't understand why not. Anyone with other (I hope more positive)
information please post it.
David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
EVDL Administrator
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