In its initial proposal for a refreshed fleet of delivery trucks in 2022, the US Postal Service and its contractor Oshkosh Defense proposal listed a combined vehicle + cargo weight of 8501 pounds. This is a remarkably specific number, exactly one pound heavier than emissions rules would constrain. Were the vehicle 1 pound lighter it would be required to be considerably cleaner — and likely electric, to meet those requirements.
With more effort, and additional $3 billion in funding from the Biden administration, by the following year this proposal was revised and proposed that most of the fleet be electric. A gasoline version would be used for long routes in rural routes, areas without sufficient charging infrastructure. Initial electric vehicles were delivered in September of 2024, apparently to excellent reviews by postal workers using them.
Oshkosh has delivered only 100 electric trucks thus far, production was expected to ramp up from the initial deliveries a few months ago. The Oshkosh Defense CEO now says they'd be happy deliver the rest of the order as solely gasoline vehicles. It is difficult to see this in any positive way.