US Postal Service Sparks Debate With Funky New Look For Revamped Delivery Vehicles

The internet was abuzz with the introduction of the United States Postal Service's new updated vehicles.

In December 2022, the USPS announced they planned to increase purpose-built Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) to a minimum of 60,000 by 2028.

According to the USPS website, the new vehicles boast advanced safety technology, air conditioning, and improved driver ergonomics, and at least 45,000 of them will be battery-operated.

Acquisitions delivered from 2026 through 2028 are expected to be 100% electric.

For those who need a refresher, here is a look at the USPS truck we all know and love.

But it's time to say goodbye, as the future of parcel delivery has arrived.

Introducing: USPS's new NGDV.

Don't you just love it?

Or are you not a fan?

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Here are the new features included in the "future-delivery fleet" as touted on the USPS website, including front/rear bumper sensors, automatic front/rear braking, and a walk-in cargo area with cab access.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) pointed out one of the ergonomic features that sparked a viral discussion.

X user andi (e/alb) observed:

"Today i learned the Oshkosh NGDV (next generation delivery vehicle) looks like this because the USPS contract mandated that the cabin must be tall enough for a 95th percentile male (6'2) to stand up but low enough for a 5th percentile female (4'11) to see over the hood."

The right windowsill on the new ergonomically-friendly fleet has been lowered to match the height of mailboxes to prevent a post-person from straining their arms and wrists to reach it.

The adjusted design element now accommodates both shorter people (5th percentile female) to taller people (95th percentile male) for safe and efficient mail delivery.

People agreed that functionality was the main driver of the change, not how flashy the new vehicles would look.

Some people thought the new vehicles looked like something from a cartoon.

@Brett_Desinger/X

Others gave it a thumbs up.

The total investment, as part of the Postal Service’s overall network modernization efforts, is expected to reach $9.6 billion, including $3 billion in congressional funding appropriated under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) signed into law by Democratic President Joe Biden on August 16, 2022.