US Postal Service electric trucks are finally here and drivers love them
US Postal Service electric trucks are finally here and drivers love them
After years of back and forth, USPS has finally put its new electric "NGDV" trucks into service, and drivers say they love the new trucks.
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I'm not against the swap to EV but that is one Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs looking ass truck.
The unusual look is to make it easier to see around the front of the vehicle, which is especially important if you are stopping and starting.
The original design didn't have a hood and looked a but more like a mini bus. Can't remember why they added the hood, but it was a combination of different things including not having a flat front that increases the chance of killing people vs letting them roll up on a short hood. I think wheel placement was another part so the side door to get in an out could be closer to the ground.
I kinda love how ugly they are in a utilitarian kind of way.
Ditto. Like, I think it'll become iconic in the same way the LLV is ugly-iconic. I just like it when government stuff so obviously prioritizes function over form.
It might also be for a radiator to cool the battery and/or act as a heat pump for the AC/heat. At least, I hope they are using a heatpump.
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It’s ugly af. Was that a project requirement or something? It looks like it has a fucking underbite lol.
It is, but its pure function over form. If you want the whole story on this here's a well done 13 minute youtube video: USPS Oshkosh NGDV Postal Van - Ugly by Design
Short version for the ugly:
- drivers need to stand up at full height inside for ease of use
- drivers, when seated, need to see very close to the ground what is in front of them
- drivers are not all the same torso height. Men are usually taller than women so you need a really tall windshield for very tall seated drivers, and very sharp and short hood for very short drivers.
Its ugly, but is a very VERY functional design. I'd rather mail carriers are comfortable in their ride than feeling stylish.
From an article I read last week, it's an accessibility thing. Front window needs to be low enough for short carriers, and the vehicle needs to be tall enough for a tall carrier to stand in.
Looks silly, but pretty well thought out.