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| Fig. 1: Grumman Long Life Vehicle (LLV). (Source: Wikimedia Commons). |
The United States Postal Service (USPS) operates one of the largest civilian vehicle fleets in the world and manages a wide network of facilities. As an independent organization within the executive branch, its energy consumption is substantial and distinct, and is comprised primarily of transportation fuels and facility energy use. The USPS has committed to sustainability goals aimed at reducing its environmental footprint, with a focus on fleet electrification and improving facility energy efficiency. [1]
The USPS energy profile is partially composed of its delivery fleet. In fiscal year 2022, the postal fleet consumed approximately 221 million gallons of gasoline equivalent (GGE). [2] This fuel consumption is largely attributed to the Grumman Long Life Vehicles (LLVs), which have been at the forefront of mail delivery for decades. Known for their low fuel efficiency, these vehicles have an observed fuel economy of 8.6 miles per gallon due to their older technology and real-world operating conditions. [2] To address this concern of fuel efficiency, the USPS has initiated a fleet modernization program featuring the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV), with a focus on internal combustion and electric vehicles. The USPS now plans for at least 66,000 of 106,000 NGDVs to be battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). [1] This transition is expected to drastically reduce the agency's fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years. [2]
Beyond its fleet, the USPS manages over 31,000 facilities, including post offices, processing centers, and vehicle maintenance facilities. These buildings require substantial energy for lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as for powering automated mail sorting equipment. In 2023, the USPS focused on sustainable facility operations, reporting that it used over 280,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy, the equivalent of electricity usage for over 23,000 homes. [1] Electricity accounts for the largest share of energy use, powering lighting, automation, and cooling. To heat the facilities, natural gas and fuel oil are used. Working towards higher energy efficiency in its buildings, the USPS has initiated several initiatives, including upgrading lighting systems to LEDs, enhancing HVAC efficiency, and monitoring and managing energy consumption patterns. [1]
To achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, the agency aims to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions (which covers direct emissions from owned sources and indirect emissions from purchased electricity) by 40% by 2030, using a FY 2021 baseline. [1] To reduce such emissions, USPS is prioritizing the shift of freight transportation from air to ground to lower carbon intensity. Additionally, the agency is optimizing delivery routes to have trucks carry fuller loads. [1] The USPS also plans to increase renewable electricity usage to 10% by 2030 by generating renewable energy on-site (such as utilizing solar panels at facilities) and purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset grid power consumption. [1] Last but not least, the USPS has set a target to divert 75% of waste from landfills by 2030. For example, the USPS BlueEarth programs facilitate the recycling of small electronics and undeliverable commercial mail, preventing tons of paper from entering landfills. [1]
While long-term goals focus on reduction, Scope 1 and 2 emissions actually increased by 2.2% in 2023 compared to the 2021 baseline. [1] This increase is largely attributed to the "Delivering for America" plan, which shifts transportation from contracted services to USPS-owned vehicles to improve reliability. [1] However, this shift has resulted in a trade-off. While direct fleet emissions rose, the agency reported a 17.8% reduction in Scope 3 (indirect) emissions during the same period. [1]
The United States Postal Service is a critical component of the nation's infrastructure with a significant energy footprint due to its massive fleet and facility network. By pivoting towards electric vehicles for its delivery fleet and continuing to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings, the USPS is undertaking a major transformation. These efforts will not only be essential for meeting federal sustainability mandates but also for reducing long-term environmental impact.
© Katy Shin. The author warrants that the work is the author's own and that Stanford University provided no input other than typesetting and referencing guidelines. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author.
[1] "Putting Our Stamp on a Greener Tomorrow," United States Postal Service, September 2024.
[2] "U.S. Postal Service Fleet Modernization," Congressional Research Service, R47820, October 2023.
