Fact Check: "New bill mandates sale of USPS electric vehicles."
What We Know
The claim that a new bill mandates the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) by the United States Postal Service (USPS) is misleading. Recent legislative proposals, particularly those associated with Republican lawmakers, have aimed to reverse funding and investments made in USPS's electric vehicle fleet. Specifically, the "Return to Sender Act," introduced by Congressman Michael Cloud and Senator Joni Ernst, seeks to terminate $3 billion allocated for USPS's electric vehicle project, which was part of the Inflation Reduction Act. This act was intended to support the USPS in transitioning to an electric fleet, with plans to purchase up to 66,000 electric delivery vehicles from manufacturers like Oshkosh and Ford (source-2, source-3).
The USPS has already begun the procurement process for these vehicles, but delays and cost overruns have been reported. As of now, fewer than 100 of the planned vehicles have been delivered (source-2). Additionally, the Senate parliamentarian has indicated that the proposed legislation cannot force the USPS to scrap its electric vehicles, suggesting that while there are attempts to undermine the funding, there is no legal mandate to sell the vehicles (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that a new bill mandates the sale of USPS electric vehicles lacks substantiation. Instead, the legislative efforts currently underway focus on reversing funding for the USPS's electric vehicle program, rather than mandating the sale of existing vehicles. The "Return to Sender Act" aims to reclaim funds allocated for the EV initiative, which could severely impact the USPS's ability to modernize its fleet (source-2, source-3).
Moreover, the reliability of sources discussing the proposed legislation varies. While major news outlets like The Washington Post and Reuters provide well-sourced information, some claims made by politicians may carry inherent biases, particularly those from partisan perspectives (source-3, source-1). The potential for misinformation arises when legislative intentions are conflated with actions that have not yet been enacted.
Conclusion
The verdict is False. The assertion that a new bill mandates the sale of USPS electric vehicles is incorrect. Instead, the current legislative efforts are focused on reversing funding for the USPS's electric vehicle program, not enforcing a sale of existing vehicles. The USPS is still in the process of acquiring these vehicles, and there is no legal requirement to sell them as per the latest information available.
