CJ Tsai (蔡宗叡) she/herDec 22, 2022
Tony Stark

The USPS fleet is easily one of the best fits for EVs: Predictable routes, predictable miles, easy to schedule/coordinate charging, and constant stop and go with low speeds, which is perfect for regenerative braking (sends power back to the battery.)

This will have a positive impact on climate change, and reduce air pollution, noise pollution, and save money in the long run on fuel and maintenance.

Biden (and Podesta)- getting it done again. This is what a desire to govern and make things better can result in - progress. A willingness to cooperate and negotiate is crucial, of course.

Lots of people pushed back hard on the initial USPS plan keep things as they were. Thanks to everyone who pushed back.

US Postal Service fulfills top Biden climate goal with deployment of 66,000 electric delivery trucks |
https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/20/politics/usps-electric-vehicle-fleet/index.html

Dec 21, 2022 at 1:12pmWeb
Show threadVox PopuliDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark I love this! I have a hybrid with regenerative braking myself. It makes me so happy to see the government making this happen!
Show threadTony StarkDec 21, 2022

@vox_n_thecosmos I really try and make my cars last and had to upgrade my decade old one last summer. Went with an EV and it’s fantastic. The one-pedal driving is fun just by itself and I probably won’t need to replace the brake pads at least for 8 to 10 years.

These are perfect for the post office and and other kind of delivery like that. It’s good news!

Show threadJLSADec 21, 2022

@TonyStark @vox_n_thecosmos

We did the same when time to replace our last car. It's our "daily driver" for about 20 mile round trip commute. Charge in the garage overnight. Never have to go to a gas station, no oil changes, spark plugs, mufflers, catalytic converters, etc. to worry about. I don't think I'll ever go back to an ICE vehicle.

Show threadKansascityfishDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark As much good stuff as you send out, I’m surprised not to have come across you on Twitter before HeWhoMustNotBeNamed took over.
Show threadTony StarkDec 21, 2022

@Kansascityfish Ah. Thanks! Well, I left there a few years ago. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Dorsey Twitter and came to try Mastodon on the advice of a friend. I ended up running this small instance and just didn’t have time for both.

Looking at where hellbird has gone, I don’t regret it!

Show threadKansascityfishDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark my thought originally was to try to recreate what I had on Twit. Now I see possibilities for something much better. Thanks for adding so much to the content!
Show threadTony StarkDec 21, 2022
@Kansascityfish Thanks for the follow.
Show threadAdam LeeDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark I'm impressed as hell that Biden got DeJoy to agree to this. I thought for sure that we'd never be able to electrify the USPS delivery fleet until we got enough nominees confirmed to the board of governors to fire him.
Show threaddingodogFeb 25, 2023
@daylightatheism @TonyStark I wonder if the other governors didn't have a clear majority, and make it clear that they would can him if it didn't go through. I hope they can him anyway.
Show threadEarBuzzDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark Back in the 1970’s oil embargo, I recall going to an auto convention with my father and seeing a proposed #USPS vehicle with #RegenerativeBraking (ca. 1973). I’m very happy to see this FINALLY coming to fruition. As an aside, I own a #Nissan #Leaf - I can easily say it’s the best car I’ve ever owned (virtually zero maintenance and well over 100k miles and still no need to change the brake pads!).
Show threadEarBuzzDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark I found the following documentation from 1978!
“The U.S. Postal Service and the Department of Energy have jointly developed and installed a flywheel system in a 1/4 ton electric postal delivery vehicle. “
https://saemobilus.sae.org/content/780297/
SAE MOBILUS

Show threadkwhDec 21, 2022
@walkonh20 @TonyStark I ran my Prius to over 300k miles before I had to change brake pads.
Show threadMJDec 21, 2022

@TonyStark

When all is said and done, there was a lot more accomplished by the Biden administration the past two years than anyone could have predicted.

And it’s all things that will benefit everyone, even those who didn’t vote for him. Republicans have nothing positive to show us that they’ve lead on, yet again.

Show threadAlexDec 21, 2022

Thats the difference between leaders and despot. Biden knows that if we don't pull this ship around we all fail. There is no political gain to be had when the entire system critically tips and can't recover. Biden knows that, and seemingly cares about it.

MOST of the Republicans that are aware of it - just don't care. They aren't equipped to deal with the true failure, and most of them seem to think they can ride it out. They won't be able to. Foreign interests are already securing there positions and reinforcing their positions.

The level of interest in our country has been long and very high. We have a few pretty unique resources and we're positioned very favorably. Bribing leadership and eroding democracy is way more effective than just coming in and shooting us. I feel like Biden understands that.

@MJ @TonyStark

Show threadSelDec 23, 2022
@MJ @TonyStark If I recall correctly, he said at the start he'd be a president for both those who voted for him and those who didn't.
Show threadPro-Democracy Coalition GuyDec 24, 2022

@MJ @TonyStark

It's the quiet competence. I like it in my own work life and find it a better way to operate, my work speaks for itself. However, I'm not sure if it's an effective strategy for a president, party and reelection.
He needs a hype-person. Or maybe us, we need to talk more about his accomplishments.

Show threaddingodogFeb 25, 2023

@whateva_0331 @MJ @TonyStark too often, the important stuff doesn't seem flashy enough.

This puts way too much incentive in front of politicians to do flashy but useless things instead of boring but important things.

I don't know how we fix that.

Show threadK2Dec 21, 2022
@TonyStark Awe, sweet! Was chatting with my mail carrier about this and I could hear the pride in her voice. Caring for people while caring for the planet is my happy place.
Show threadTony StarkDec 21, 2022
@Krosen_nw Aw, that’s nice. Agreed!
Show threadR.J.Dec 21, 2022
@TonyStark The Auto Workers Union was also part of the pushback on DeJoy's initial decision, Tony, which you might know. These will all be built at a union plant in Oshkosh. Very cool.
Show threadTony StarkDec 21, 2022
@RJA Good add, thanks.
Show threadPeter BrownDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark some locations were given electric Royal Mail vans some years ago, but they chose the locations badly, giving them to areas with high mileages. So they’d be able to come back and say they don’t work. 🤡
Show threadVHaschDec 21, 2022

@TonyStark

The pervasive attitude of "it won't be perfect, so don't do it at all" is so defeatist. Changing over the vehicles we can, even if they're not perfect, and even if we only get a small percentage is better than doing nothing.

Cars didn't replace horses overnight, either.

Show threadBathsheba BlueDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark
Thanks for highlighting this … it really is a BFD. And bc Biden slapped down DeJoy, which is a moral victory and a lot of fun to watch.
Show threadShoq 🌿Dec 21, 2022
@TonyStark You are my idea of what a good SMP should be and do. (Social Media Pundit). You invest time in informing people of not just the event or topic, but also it's impact. And you are always concise about it. Well played, sir.
Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark although Britain's Royal Mail is struggling with poor industrial relations as a consequence of the flawed decision to privatise the service, they are at least also deploying more electric vans (I see them on the roads every day)
Show threadEmmamstewartDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark in the same breath - the feds aren’t supporting manufacture of much needed distribution transformers in the appropriations - so this fleet basically may not have anywhere to charge… can’t charge if the grid can’t support it. Horse way before the cart at this point.
Show threadBob VezeauDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark
Thanks for that Tony! Gonna have to get an alarm on my mailbox since I won’t hear the postman coming and going.
Show threadDavid RolfeDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark Best thing I learned from this is that they're replacing those Grumman trucks that did not have AC but still only got 10 mpg. So it's like win-win for mail carriers health and safety *and* a giant carbon savings.
Show threadJake WoodDec 21, 2022

@TonyStark while I certainly applaud the initiative, I still feel as though ev's miss the mark on sustainability efforts due to the simple fact of where most electricity is sourced.

Many states still rely on coal and fossil fuels to provide electricity, and the inevitable switch to electric vehicles by the masses will produce an exuberant demand for such poorly sourced power.

Show threadmmalcDec 21, 2022

@TonyStark @wrd4riri

No. No they don’t.

Amongst numerous other FUD-debunking pages:

https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/electric-vehicle-myths

Electric Vehicle Myths | US EPA

Facts and myths about electric vehicles.

US EPA
Show threadTony StarkDec 21, 2022
@wrd4riri @mmalc I do love when people come and fix things for me before I can get there. Thanks!
Show threadJake WoodDec 22, 2022
@mmalc @TonyStark thank you for that. That helped to assuage some of my fears and apprehensions on electric vehicles. As a fan of urban planning and contemporary urbanism, I'm naturally averse to cars in general
Show threadCamelus_Inimicus Dec 21, 2022
@wrd4riri @TonyStark Even if that's true, burning fossil fuels in one giant plant makes much more sense than in a million little vehicles. For one, it's much easier to keep clean.
Show threadtymwalkerDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/12/20/usps-ev-vehicles/ not that you haven’t seen this. :).
Postal Service will electrify trucks by 2026 in climate win for Biden

The U.S. Postal Service plans to spend almost $10 billion for 66,000 electric vehicles and the related infrastructure.

The Washington Post
Show threadAndrew FraineDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark This is great. I truly don't understand why people criticize the USPS for not being a profit center -- I mean come on, it's a public service, it doesn't need to make a profit. Let's provide a public service, lose a ton of money, and call it a day. This is how almost every other public service is treated (public safety, infrastructure, etc.). No reason USPS should be treated as a business.
Show threadTony StarkDec 21, 2022
@Fraine Agreed. Lots of public services shouldn’t be profit-driven.
Show threadAlexDec 21, 2022

@Fraine
Agreed 100% - not everything has to be profit driven with metrics and growth strategies.

I miss the Civilian Conservation Corps

@TonyStark

Show threadFDRDec 21, 2022
@mentallyalex @Fraine @TonyStark Wasn't that a terrific idea?
Show threadlezbagDec 21, 2022
@Fraine @TonyStark
It's a public service, just like the police, fire, water, etc. No need to make a profit, it's part of where out taxes go. Let's get the tax tables back to 1950s levels and we would have enough money to fund all the public services.
Show threadWerejulDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark If I recall well they were supposed to have even more vehicles and go all electric but they rolled back on that and reduced their targets ?
Show threadsparseMatrix ✅✅✅ 📻Dec 21, 2022

@TonyStark

This is The Way.

Show threadSvavarDec 21, 2022

@sparseMatrix @TonyStark

This is The Way.

Show threadCamelus_Inimicus Dec 21, 2022
@TonyStark Does Oshkosh even have a working electric truck yet? They originally won the bid with just combustion engines, with the understanding they could retrofit trucks to be electric. With the rapid order changes, starting with all ICE, then 10% EV, and now 60% EV, I'm afraid these trucks will be tested in the field by USPS.
Show threadTony StarkDec 21, 2022

@Camelus_Inimicus Check out the fire truck in service in Madison partway down the page. There are some great YouTubes out there about it, too.

Electric Vehicles | Oshkosh Corporation
https://www.oshkoshcorp.com/brands-innovations/electric-vehicles

Electric Vehicles

We have a long and successful history of developing fully electric and hybrid vehicles across a wide variety of industries, inventing new technologies that reduce energy consumption and emissions, lower total cost of ownership and increase performance.

Show threadLili Von ShtuppDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark @Camelus_Inimicus That's so cool 😎 and they're building a plant in Spartanburg, SC to build EVs for the post office!
Show threadAgentCarter    💙💛Dec 21, 2022
@TonyStark @Camelus_Inimicus
Impressive! I'd love to see those firetrucks adopted in my area!
Show threadCubeOfCheeseDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark I'm confused. The article said 40%of the fleet will be electric but also said 45k out of 60k will be electric.
Either way, better than what we had before!
Show threadMirageeDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark I am so happy about this. I live in a rural area perfect for EVs. Lots of hills. The little truck presently delivering our mail is the worst polluting vehicle of the resident’s and delivery vehicles. Once, it left a huge puddle of oil right by our mailboxes, that continued up our long driveway!😠
Show threadTony StarkDec 21, 2022
@Miragee That sounds bad. Some of the delivery people here still have no air or climate control on their vehicles and even though they walk their routes for the most part after parking somewhere in the neighborhood, they deserve a modernized fleet and so do we as customers.
Show threadMags at LargeDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark Good news, indeed!
Show threadBrianaryDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark It seems possible a regional post office's trucks could maybe power a hospital for a while? Asking for a Texas.
Show threadnovalisDec 21, 2022
Also, they have immunity to local idling laws, so they idle all the time with total impunity.
Show threadJoachim FrankDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark Joy about De Joy De Feat
Show threadrholland_again-againDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark OK, but can the postal trucks eject their battery packs like the Enterprise ejects its warp core when things go wrong? Don't want my junk mail toasted.
Show threadCasual ObserverDec 21, 2022

@TonyStark I'm happy to hear that USPS is deploying EVs. Perfect use case given the technology.

I'm looking forward to when battery tech and charging infrastructure improve to the point that a full EV makes more sense for me.

Show threadStephanie Reed ♠️Dec 21, 2022

@TonyStark I'm so glad!

"The Postal Service’s new electric vehicle from Oshkosh Defense includes many safety features that aren’t present in many of its current vehicles, including airbags." Wow I didn't know mail trucks didn't have airbags

Show threadOyVeidtDec 21, 2022
@TonyStark SCOTUS will just say Biden’s not allowed to do this
Show threadAriaflameDec 22, 2022
@OyVeidt Who has standing to take it up to SCOTUS?