Senate Parliamentarian Blocks GOP Bid to Scrap USPS EV Fleet

The Senate parliamentarian ruled that Republicans cannot use a budget reconciliation bill to force the U.S. Postal Service to sell its fleet of over 7,200 electric vehicles and dismantle related charging infrastructure, requiring a 60-vote supermajority instead. This decision blocks GOP efforts tied to President Trump's agenda that would have significantly rolled back federal EV programs, including the USPS's ongoing electrification efforts. The Postal Service warned that scrapping its EV fleet would cost approximately $1.5 billion, including $1 billion to replace vehicles and $500 million for wasted charging infrastructure, while also severely hampering operational capabilities. The ruling is seen as a critical win by clean energy advocates who argue it preserves U.S. competitiveness and climate progress amid broader Republican moves to eliminate EV incentives. Senate Republicans also aimed to reclaim funds allocated for USPS EV purchases in a recent climate bill, but this effort was similarly thwarted by the parliamentarian's enforcement of Senate rules. USPS plans to expand its EV fleet to over 66,000 vehicles by 2028, underscoring the importance of maintaining its current electrification trajectory.