Editing United States Postal Service (section)

== Current operations ==

===Deliveries===
[[File:United States Postal Service Truck.jpg|thumb|USPS two-ton truck]]
As of 2023, the Postal Service operates 33,641 Post Office and contract locations in the U.S., and delivered a total of 127.3 billion packages and pieces of mail to 164.9 million delivery points in fiscal year 2022.<ref name="USPS_SizeAndScope" />

USPS delivers mail and packages Monday through Saturday as required by the [[Postal Service Reform Act of 2022]]; on Sundays only Priority Express and packages for [[Amazon (company)|Amazon.com]] are delivered.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Duryee |first=Tricia |date=July 16, 2014 |title=Amazon Sunday delivery: Key facts to know as USPS rolls out service nationally |language=en-US |newspaper=GeekWire |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2014/amazon-getting-packages-sunday-via-u-s-postal-service/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405112408/http://www.geekwire.com/2014/amazon-getting-packages-sunday-via-u-s-postal-service/ |archive-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref> The USPS delivers packages on Sundays in most major cities.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-13 |title=Our Priority: Delivering for the Holidays |url=https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/1129-usps-operation-santa-open-for-letter-adoption.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530051827/https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/1213-our-priority-delivering-for-the-holidays.htm |archive-date=2023-05-30 |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=USPS |language=en}}</ref> During the four weeks preceding [[Christmas]] since 2013, packages from all mail classes and senders were delivered on Sunday in some areas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/US-Postal-Service-Deliver-Packages-on-Sundays-Before-Christmas-235869621.html|title=Postal Service to Deliver Packages on Sundays Before Christmas|date=December 14, 2013|publisher=NBC Chicago|language=en-US|access-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205181607/http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/US-Postal-Service-Deliver-Packages-on-Sundays-Before-Christmas-235869621.html|archive-date=February 5, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Parcels are also delivered on holidays, with the exception of [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] and Christmas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pe.usps.com/Archive/PDF/DMMArchive20070717/mailingstandards.pdf |title=Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual |author=United States Postal Service |date=July 15, 2007 |publisher=United States Postal Service |page=1070|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216125049/http://pe.usps.com/Archive/PDF/DMMArchive20070717/mailingstandards.pdf|archive-date=December 16, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=July 9, 2019}}</ref> The USPS started delivering Priority Mail Express packages on Christmas Day in select locations for an additional fee.<ref name=":1" />

The holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the peak period for the Postal Service,<ref name=Knudson>{{Cite news |last= Knudson |first=Annalise |title=United States Postal Service shares shipping deadlines for 2022 holiday season |work=silive |date=October 6, 2022 |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2022/10/united-states-postal-service-shares-shipping-deadlines-for-2022-holiday-season.html |access-date=April 29, 2024}}</ref> representing a total volume of 11.7 billion packages and pieces of mail during this time in 2022.<ref name=McGee>{{Cite news |last=McGee |first=Caelan |title=USPS ramping up efforts to handle holiday rush |work=ABC15 News |date=November 26, 2023 |url=https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/usps-ramping-up-efforts-to-handle-holiday-rush-united-states-postal-service-packages-parcels-presents-deliveries-thanksgiving-christmas-new-years |access-date=April 29, 2024}}</ref>

===Fleet===
[[File:USPS-Mail-Truck.jpg|thumb|A [[Grumman LLV]], the USPS' main type of delivery truck|alt=]]
The USPS operates one of the largest civilian [[vehicle fleet]]s in the world, with over 235,000 vehicles as of 2024,<ref name="USPS_SizeAndScope" /> the majority of which are the distinctive and unique [[Chevrolet]]/[[Grumman LLV]] (long-life vehicle), and the similar, newer [[Ford-Utilimaster FFV]] ([[flexible-fuel vehicle]]), originally also referred to as the CRV (carrier route vehicle). The LLVs were built from 1987 to 1994 and lack air conditioning, airbags, anti-lock brakes, and space for the large modern volume of e-commerce packages, the Grumman fleet ended its expected 24-year lifespan in fiscal year 2017. The LLV replacement process began in 2015, and after numerous delays,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.trucks.com/2020/05/12/postal-service-delays-mail-truck-production-contract/ |title=Postal Service Delays Production Contract for New Mail Truck |date=May 12, 2020 |access-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515092417/https://www.trucks.com/2020/05/12/postal-service-delays-mail-truck-production-contract/ |url-status=live}}</ref> a $6&nbsp;billion contract was awarded in February 2021 to [[Oshkosh Corporation|Oshkosh Defense]] to finalize design and produce 165,000 vehicles over 10 years.<ref name="LLV replacement contract">{{cite web |url=https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/0223-multi-billion-dollar-modernization-of-postal-delivery-vehicle-fleet.htm |title=U.S. Postal Service Awards Contract to Launch Multi-Billion-Dollar Modernization of Postal Delivery Vehicle Fleet |website=USPS |publisher=United States Postal Service |access-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004111532/https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/0223-multi-billion-dollar-modernization-of-postal-delivery-vehicle-fleet.htm |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Next Generation Delivery Vehicle]] (NGDV), will have both gasoline  and battery electric versions. Half of the initial 50,000 vehicles will be electric, as will all vehicles purchased after 2026.<ref>{{cite web |last=Daly |first=Matthew |date=2022-12-20 |title=Postal Service pledges move to all-electric delivery fleet |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-climate-and-environment-a3d26d186d4b7454252a4d9eab5850f1 |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

The number of gallons of fuel used in 2009 was 444&nbsp;million, at a cost of {{USD|1.1 billion}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Postal Facts 2010 |publisher=U.S. Postal Service |year=2010 |access-date=September 28, 2010 |url=http://www.usps.com/strategicplanning/_pdf/PostalFacts_03_17_2010.pdf|archive-date=July 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728023839/http://www.usps.com/strategicplanning/_pdf/PostalFacts_03_17_2010.pdf}}</ref> For every penny increase in the national average price of gasoline, the USPS spends an extra {{USD|8}} million per year to fuel its fleet.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Erica |last=Johnson |url=http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/gas-prices-affecting-mail/?id=70992 |title=Gas Prices Affecting Mail |date=June 20, 2008 |publisher=Keloland Television |access-date=April 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419025530/http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/gas-prices-affecting-mail/?id=70992 |archive-date=April 19, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The fleet is notable in that many of its vehicles are [[Left- and right-hand traffic|right-hand drive]], an arrangement intended to give drivers the easiest access to roadside mailboxes. Some [[rural letter carrier]]s use personal vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ohrlca.org/documents/vehicle_rhd_incentive.pdf |title=Rural Carrier – Right-Hand Drive Instructions |author=USPS |publisher=USPS |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709145609/https://www.ohrlca.org/documents/vehicle_rhd_incentive.pdf |archive-date= July 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> All contractors use personal vehicles. Standard postal-owned vehicles do not have [[license plate]]s. These vehicles are identified by a seven-digit number displayed on the front and rear.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hartzell |first=Dan |url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-2009-06-22-4394651-story.html |title=Mail trucks deliver without license |date=June 22, 2009 |publisher=The Morning Call |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709151530/https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-2009-06-22-4394651-story.html |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Electrifying the USPS fleet====

Starting in 2026, all delivery truck purchases are scheduled to be [[electric vehicles]],<ref name="all-electric">{{cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=The Postal Service pledges to move to an all-electric delivery fleet |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/12/20/1144458358/postal-service-usps-electric-vehicles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418030936/https://www.npr.org/2022/12/20/1144458358/postal-service-usps-electric-vehicles |archive-date=2023-04-18 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |via=[[NPR]]}}</ref> partly in response to criticism from the [[Environmental Protection Agency]] and an environmental lawsuit,<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2022/04/29/1095481101/usps-postal-service-gas-trucks-lawsuit States sue the U.S. Postal Service over its decision to buy gas-powered trucks]</ref> and also due to availability of new funding provided by the [[Inflation Reduction Act of 2022]].<ref name=WaPo3/><ref name=PoliticoEV/> The Act included $3 billion for electric USPS vehicles,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garrison |first1=Joey |title=Postal Service to electrify fleet by 2026 as part of President Biden's climate push |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/20/postal-service-transition-electric-fleet-2026/10930854002/ |access-date=28 April 2023 |work=USA Today |date=20 December 2022}}</ref><ref name=WaPo3>{{cite news |last=Bogage |first=Jacob |date=December 20, 2022 |title=Postal Service will electrify trucks by 2026 in climate win for Biden |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/12/20/usps-ev-vehicles/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=January 23, 2023}}</ref> supporting the initiative by [[Louis DeJoy|Postmaster General DeJoy]] and the Biden Administration to add 66,000 electric vehicles to the fleet by 2028.<ref name=PoliticoEV>{{cite news |last=Fuchs |first=Hailey |date=August 13, 2023 |title=Louis DeJoy: From Trump villain to Biden's clean energy buddy |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/13/how-louis-dejoy-went-from-democratic-nightmare-fuel-to-biden-clean-energy-player-00110945 |work=Politico |access-date=August 17, 2023}}</ref> The electric fleet will be composed of 9,250 EVs manufactured by [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]; 11,750 [[commercial off-the-shelf]] EVs; and 45,000 [[Oshkosh NGDV|Oshkosh Next Generation Delivery Vehicles]].<ref name=CBSNewsEV>{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Li |date=March 1, 2023 |title=U.S. Postal Service starts nationwide electric vehicle fleet, buying 9,250 EVs and thousands of charging stations |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-postal-service-starts-nationwide-electric-vehicle-fleet-buying-9250-evs-and-thousands-of-charging-stations/ |work=CBS News |access-date=March 30, 2023}}</ref><ref name=VergeEV>{{cite news |last=Calma |first=Justine |date=January 22, 2024 |title=The US Postal Service's new EV chargers are here |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/22/24046897/usps-postal-service-electric-vehicle-charging-event |work=The Verge |access-date=February 12, 2024}}</ref> In February 2023, the Postal Service announced its purchase of the Ford EVs as well as 14,000 electric vehicle charging stations.<ref name=CBSNewsEV/><ref name=TheHillEV>{{cite news |last=Budryk |first=Zach |date=March 1, 2023 |title=USPS to purchase 9,000 electric vehicles, install 14,000 charging stations |url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/3879040-usps-to-purchase-9000-electric-vehicles-install-14000-charging-stations/ |work=The Hill |access-date=March 30, 2023}}</ref> The fleet electrification plan is part of the Postal Service's initiative to reduce carbon emissions from fuel and electricity 40 percent and emissions from contracted services 20 percent by 2030.<ref name=FNNSustainability>{{cite news |last=Heckman |first=Jory |date=February 6, 2024 |title=USPS outlines plan to 'aggressively' reduce carbon footprint by 2030 |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/agency-oversight/2024/02/usps-plans-to-aggressively-reduce-carbon-footprint-by-2030/ |work=Federal News Network |access-date=February 12, 2024}}</ref><ref name=PPTISustainability>{{cite news |last=King |first=Hazel |date=February 8, 2024 |title=USPS announces 2030 greenhouse gas emissions targets |url=https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/sustainability/usps-announces-2030-greenhouse-gas-emissions-targets.html |work=Parcel and Postal Technology International |access-date=February 12, 2024}}</ref> The bulk of the savings comes from less expensive 'fuel' and less required maintenance. Other benefits include less pollution where children live and play.

In August 2024, the USPS deployed the first new vehicles from its fleet modernization project at its Topeka Sorting and Delivery Center in Kansas, including: an electric vehicle with higher clearance for routes delivering a high number of packages, and an electric delivery vehicle produced in partnership with [[Canoo]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Topeka Capital-Journal Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts |url=https://subscribe.cjonline.com/restricted?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cjonline.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Flocal%2F2024%2F08%2F06%2Ftopeka-usps-site-gets-upgrades-that-include-electric-vehicles%2F74674340007%2F&gps-source=CPROADBLOCKDH&gca-cat=p&slug=restricted&redirect=true&gnt-eid=control |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=subscribe.cjonline.com}}</ref> that is a "pod-like" smaller van.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendez • • |first=Jasmine |date=2024-01-31 |title=Going electric: USPS fleet features pod-like vans to improve 'delivery networks' |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/going-electric-usps-fleet-features-pod-like-vans-to-improve-delivery-networks/3325931/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=NBC Los Angeles |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Military mail===
The Department of Defense and the USPS jointly operate a postal system to deliver [[Military mail#U.S. Military Postal Service (MPS)|mail for the military]]; this is known as the '''Army Post Office''' (for [[United States Army|Army]] and [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] postal facilities) and the '''Fleet Post Office''' (for [[United States Navy|Navy]], [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], and [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] postal facilities).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aafes.com/edi/PDF/apoguide.pdf |title=APO/FPO Guide for AAFES Suppliers – The USPS Relationship with Military Service Members |author=Military Postal Service Agency |date=June 2008 |publisher=Military Postal Service Agency |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709160952/https://www.aafes.com/edi/PDF/apoguide.pdf |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>