Delivering the Mail with Diesels - The Post Office Department Looks at Diesel Engines

To determine to what extent diesel power should be introduced into the 60,000 truck postal fleet, a comprehensive evaluation-type study was undertaken by the Automotive Division of the Post Office Department. The study encompassed the complete range of truck sizes from the large 65,000 gcw tractor-trucks to the small 1/4-ton three wheel scooters. Considered in the evaluation were such factors as reliability, noise level, driver reaction and vehicle performance characteristics, in addition to the usual comparison of fuel consumption. Although the complete life cycle of the representative gasoline and diesel vehicles being studied is not complete, certain interim findings concerning vehicle performance and driver acceptance do support the trend to more general use of diesel powered vehicles.