Since 1987, the Grumman Long Life Vehicle Mail Truck has been serving the United States Postal Service loyally. It is based on the Chevy S-10 Blazer and has been a pretty reliable mail truck throughout its life cycle. But, after years of debate, it’s finally time for the USPS to get a new delivery vehicle. this time, built by the defense company oshkosh, and has not been without controversy. so how is life with the grumman llv and what can we expect from the oshkosh ngdv 2023 mail truck for usps?
the grumman llv mail truck is an iconic delivery vehicle
The Grumman LLV mail truck has been an iconic vehicle for some time. It represents getting a physical piece of communication, something that can feel lost in the digital age. But, the Grumman LLV is not without its problems. According to Autotrader, it lacks an air conditioner and the stock heater is prone to failure.
Also, the 2.5-liter “iron duke” engine isn’t known for its efficiency. but the engine is paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, which is helpful for the low speeds this vehicle normally operates at.
the grumman llv also has a limited lifespan, like any car. And now, the time has come to retire this vehicle and replace it with the USPS 2023 Mail Truck.
will the grumman llv usps truck be discontinued?
While the Grumman LLV still serves as a mail truck, it is being phased out. Starting in 2015, the USPS made an announcement that it would be opening up bids for a new generation of mail trucks. And finally, in 2021 the winner of the bidding process was announced as Oshkosh. The company is contracted to deliver over 160,000 units over the next 10 years, at first with combustion engines, and then later an electric option would be available.
Unsurprisingly, the process of getting new mail trucks hasn’t been easy. Even in 2022, questions have been raised about the contract and the EPA tried to intervene in the situation. The main issues revolve around efficiency, at which the Oshkosh Mail Truck apparently doesn’t excel.
Because the USPS operates with more autonomy than other government organizations, Postmaster DeJoy was able to brush off the EPA’s criticism and place an official order, with the first deliveries scheduled for 2023. The Oshkosh truck will be known as the NGDV, which stands for “state-of-the-art delivery vehicle”.
the oshkosh ngdv 2023 will become an electric mail truck
As electric vehicles become more common on area roads, it makes sense for government vehicles to benefit from EV technology. For the first 50,000 orders of the new Oshkosh mail truck, a little over 10,000 models will be electric. If the EV models are cheaper to operate than combustion engine models, that could potentially mean savings in the long term. Despite the EV models costing slightly more than their gas-powered counterparts.
While the ngdv may have some issues, both contractual and practical, mail carriers will likely appreciate the updated vehicle. it should be more comfortable, and it will surely be more modern. no matter how much the general public misses the iconic grumann llv.
Related: oshkosh is making new usps trucks look weird