The U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday unveiled a new-generation vehicle coming to its fleet.
The striking design — likened to a duck or “Pixar”-inspired car — is a major change from current delivery vehicles seen on the roads.
Car and Driver called it a “visual abomination,” but probably better at its job than a Corvette, though that would be cool, too.
The new vehicles, which are a sort of cross between a truck and van, but very different, were designed specifically for the USPS’s mail and package delivery needs.
The Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV), as they have been dubbed, feature a right-side driving seat, a huge windshield, back-up cameras, air bags and air conditioning.
There is also a large walk-in cargo area and sliding cargo door.
The front bumper extends out to mitigate a crash with a pedestrian. There are also front and rear bumper sensors and collision warnings.
The vehicles will be equipped with either fuel-efficient internal combustion engines or battery electric powertrains, and adaptable for future upgrades, according to the USPS.
Oshkosh Defense, of Oshkosh, Wisc., was awarded the $482 million contract and will assemble 50,000 to 165,000 vehicles over the next 10 years. The vehicles are to be built in the U.S.
The first of these new delivery vehicles are scheduled to be on carrier routes in 2023.
The Postal Service fleet currently has more than 230,000 vehicles in every class, of which many have been in service for 30 years. Approximately 190,000 vehicles deliver mail six or seven days a week in U.S. communities.
