Fact Check: "Joe Biden spent 3 million on 93 electric mail trucks"
What We Know
The claim that "Joe Biden spent 3 million on 93 electric mail trucks" refers to a larger context involving the U.S. Postal Service's (USPS) procurement of electric vehicles under the Inflation Reduction Act. According to reports, the USPS was allocated approximately $3 billion to purchase 60,000 electric delivery vehicles from defense contractor Oshkosh, with a significant portion of this funding aimed at modernizing the postal fleet to meet climate goals (source-1, source-2). However, as of November 2024, only 93 trucks had been delivered, far fewer than the 3,000 that were expected by that time (source-2).
The cost per truck is reported to be around $77,692 for the initial order of about 28,000 vehicles (source-1). This indicates that the total expenditure for the 93 trucks delivered would be significantly higher than $3 million when calculated at the reported cost per vehicle.
Analysis
The claim that Biden "spent 3 million on 93 electric mail trucks" appears to be a misinterpretation or oversimplification of the actual funding and procurement situation. The $3 billion allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act is intended for a much larger fleet of 60,000 vehicles, not just for the 93 that have been delivered (source-1, source-2).
Furthermore, some sources, such as Yahoo News, clarify that while the USPS has a contract worth $2.98 billion, it is not accurate to say that this money was spent solely on the 93 trucks. The contract encompasses a broader commitment to electrify the USPS fleet over several years, with deliveries expected to continue into the future (source-4, source-6).
Critically, the sources reporting on this claim vary in reliability. The Washington Post and Yahoo News provide detailed accounts based on official statements and contracts, while some partisan sources may frame the information to support specific political narratives (source-2, source-4).
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "Joe Biden spent 3 million on 93 electric mail trucks" is False. The actual funding of $3 billion is meant for a much larger fleet of 60,000 electric vehicles, and the cost per truck is significantly higher than what the claim suggests. The assertion does not accurately reflect the scope or intent of the funding provided under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Sources
- DOGE lawmakers look to defund Biden's anemic-paced $3B EV postal truck boondoggle
- The Postal Service's electric mail trucks are way behind schedule
- Posts misrepresent Biden administration spending on EV
- No, Biden Did Not Spend $3B on 93 Electric Mail Trucks
- Another Biden-Era Failure: Electric Postal Service Trucks
- Fact Check: Biden Administration Did NOT Spend $3 Billion For Just 93 Postal Delivery Electric Vehicles
- President Biden signs law for postal truck funding
- Biden’s $3B USPS mail truck EV deal could be derailed by DOGE
