e-Ride Industries EXV4, a LSV compliant utility vehicle

e-Ride Industries of Minnesota wants to provide electric powered fleet vehicles for the US Postal Service for mail delivery. The manufacturer of low speed utility vehicles states that their vehicles would save $0.90 per mile in operational costs compared to the Postal Service’s current gas powered delivery trucks that are such a familiar sight to many. There is also the reduced emissions to consider. A modified version of one e-Ride’s existing models is currently being tested by the agency. Depending on the configuration, initial costs would be between $18,000 and $30,000. With hundreds of thousands of vehicles in service, the potential market is very large for this small manufacturer.  Learn more:  KSTP.com

Comment:  The appeal of this market for electric vehicles is that set delivery routes and  central recharging at the vehicle depot make it easier to determine the range requirements for the battery pack. Shorter routes on roads with speed limits of 35 mph and under would be ideal for this vehicle. The continuous stop and go nature of this vehicle application is also an ideal use of electric power rather than an ICE.  This type of vehicle could make a lot of sense for certain routes but the potential could be limited by vehicle speed and road use restrictions.