Amazon Introduce 5 Electric HGVs to Fleet

In the UK, Amazon has introduced five electric Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) into its delivery fleet, marking a significant milestone in the company's efforts to electrify its transportation network. These fully-electric vehicles, weighing 37 tonnes each, are now operational from Amazon's fulfilment centres in Tilbury and Milton Keynes. They transport customer packages with zero tailpipe emissions, relying on battery power. By replacing diesel HGVs, these five electric vehicles will eliminate the need for up to 100,000 road miles fuelled by diesel annually, thereby preventing the emission of 170 tonnes of CO2e.

This initiative is part of Amazon's commitment, known as Shipment Zero, to achieve 50% of shipments with net-zero carbon by 2030. By incorporating electric HGVs into its fleet, Amazon aims to contribute to the reduction of the UK transportation sector's carbon footprint. Currently, heavy goods vehicles account for approximately 16% of domestic transport emissions in the UK. The introduction of these electric vehicles represents a significant step towards Amazon's goal of becoming net-zero carbon by 2040.

The electric HGVs will soon benefit from cutting-edge advancements in battery technology. Amazon plans to implement fast 360 kW electric charging points, the first of their kind, at its Tilbury and Milton Keynes sites. This will ensure efficient charging for the electric trucks. In addition to the electric HGVs, Amazon already operates over 1,000 electric delivery vans on UK roads.

John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager, expressed pride in being one of the pioneering companies worldwide to adopt electric heavy goods trucks. Boumphrey reiterated Amazon's commitment to decarbonizing its transportation network and delivering customer orders using zero-emission vehicles.

DAF Trucks Director Fleet Sales, Eelco van Veen, also shared his enthusiasm for including the DAF CF Electric HGV in Amazon's fleet. He recognized the significance of this step towards achieving zero-emission middle-mile distribution.

Investment Minister Lord Grimstone acknowledged Amazon's role in the logistics sector's transition to zero-emission vehicles. He applauded the introduction of fully electric heavy goods vehicles in Amazon's UK fleet, emphasizing its positive impact on efforts to combat climate change and promote cleaner modes of transport.

In addition to electrifying its fleet, Amazon is exploring various alternative delivery methods in collaboration with local partners to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions in middle mile transportation. The company has already ordered battery electric trucks from Lion Electric and started testing hydrogen-powered trucks in the United States. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded its use of multi-modal transport to minimize emissions from road travel. In the UK alone, Amazon delivered over 45 million packages in 2021 using more sustainable transportation methods, including electric vans and cargo bikes. As Amazon continues to expand its fleet, customers can expect to see more zero-emission vehicles on the roads.

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