Phase 1 Areas of Interest

Phase I of the e-Drive program is expected to last 3.5 years. Under Section 3 of the e-Drive bill, Phase I of the program is divided into nine categories or Areas of Interest:

1) 2,000 all-electric trucks -- essentially "off-the-shelf" and available for commercial sale today


2) 4,000 new electric USPS "Long Life Vehicles" and 200 new derivative electric vehicles -- a development and deployment program for new highly efficient vehicles


3) 1,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrains and 2,000 all-electric powertrains -- a development and deployment program for new highly efficient powertrains


4) 1,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles -- essentially "off-the-shelf" and available for commercial sale today


5) Conversion of 3,000 existing USPS Long Life Vehicles -- uses powertrains from Area of Interest 3


6) 12,000 charging stations at USPS facilities, including areas accessible by the public


7) Smart Grid technology -- involves seven regional deployments across the nation using postal facilities, building teams of power companies, ISOs, aggregators, and fleet operators


8) Lithium ion battery re-purposing -- a) demonstration of business model for battery packs after vehicle use; and b) recycling capacity


9) Standards and safety policies

In addition, the program establishes assessment, coordination and data analyses requirements for the test fleet. These include charge and use data collection, charging and smart grid data collection, assessment of mission requirements, analyses of economic and environmental impacts, and education and outreach. A summary report will evaluate the product and performance of each award recipient and contain recommendations to the Secretary of Energy to consider in awarding funds under Phase II.

On the basis of the summary report in Phase I, the Secretary of Energy will award funds for the production and delivery of 10,000 electric postal delivery vehicles and 12,000 charging stations in Phase II.