Section 70002 of the IRA appropriates funds to the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) through the Postal Service Fund, 39 U.S.C. ยง 2003, which makes funding available to the USPS without fiscal-year limitations.
Section 70002 appropriates $1.29 billion for the USPS to purchase zero-emission delivery vehicles and an additional $1.71 for the purchase, design, and installation of associated infrastructure at facilities owned or leased by the USPS. The appropriated funds will remain available through September 30, 2031.
Current Status:
Trump Administration Actions:
- Congress Introduces House Bill to Repeal and Rescind Unobligated Funds Under 70002 [03/10/2025]
- Congress Introduces Senate Bill to Repeal and Rescind Unobligated Funds Under 70002 [03/10/2025]
- OMB Orders Temporary Pause on Financial Assistance Programs, Later Rescinded [01/27/2025]
- OMB Clarifies Scope of the Order to Halt IRA Spending [01/21/2025]
- Trump Issues Executive Order to Halt All IRA Funding Disbursements [01/20/2025]
Implementation Status at End of Biden Administration:
The IRA appropriated $1.29 billion for purchasing zero-emission vehicles and an additional $1.71 billion for associated infrastructure costs, to be used by September 30, 2031. USPS announced on December 20, 2022 that it intended to deploy at least 66,000 electric vehicles by 2028 and has committed to only purchasing battery electric vehicles beginning in 2026 through 2028. An audit report by the OIG noted that as of February 2024, the Postal Service had invested $112.3 million in charging infrastructure from IRA funds. No IRA funds had yet been used for electric vehicles at that time.
Biden Administration Actions:
- USPS Announces Electric Vehicle Purchases [12/20/2022]