Postal carriers test drive electric vehicles

David Gonzales is a familiar face in the neighborhoods he serves, whether he's sitting in his delivery truck or riding on a bicycle.

This week, however, he and other U.S. Postal Service letter carriers in the Sun Cities are test driving a new mode of transportation.

Post offices in both Sun City and Sun City West are trying out electric T3 delivery vehicles to determine its enviromental friendliness and viability with employees.

"It's something to get used to, but it's better for the environment in the end," Gonzales said.

The T3s come with compartments attached to the vehicle for mail storage, and a trailer can be attached as well. It has a range of 40 miles with a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour and maximum load of 450 pounds.

Mark Strong, Sun City postmaster, said the test drives in the retirement communities are two of four sites in Arizona where the T3s will be driven.

Strong said there are a number of advantages to the T3 versus a bicycle or regular postal truck.

"Usually you have to start and stop, and for a gas vehicle that's too much," he said. "You don't even have to do that with this vehicle - it's electric."

Peter Hass, a spokesman for the U.S. Post Office, said they'll determine in the next few months whether they'll use T3s as part of the official vehicle fleet.

"We're always looking for more environmentally friendly ways to do business," Hass said. "Every time the price of gas goes up, that's millions of dollars more we have to spend."

The T3s cost less than 4 cents per mile to operate.

In addition to cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness, Harper said the T3 helps with ergonomics for some postal workers as well.

Gonzales has trouble with his knees sometimes as he gets in and out of a regular postal truck.

"It's a lot easier with the T3 because it's not that high off the ground," he said.

Since he's test driven the vehicle for the last few days, Gonzales said he's been asked a lot of questions by residents as he's delivered their mail.

"They want to know what is it and then I tell them," he said. "They all love the fact that it's environmentally safe, but as long as I get the mail to them on time, I'm sure they won't care."

Mitchell Vantrease may be reached at 623-876-2526 or mvantrease@yourwestvalley.com.