Amazon has positioned orders for greater than 150 electrical heavy items automobiles (HGVs) in a bid to create Britain’s largest zero-emission truck fleet. The net retail and logistics big can be stepping up its dedication to rail transport, shifting packages alongside the west coast important line for onward distribution.
Amazon confirmed it has ordered over 140 new Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 vans and eight Volvo FM Electrical items, supplementing 9 electrical tractor items already in its fleet. By the tip of this yr, it expects to have 160 massive zero-emission HGVs in operation.
Whereas the corporate declined to specify actual prices, with every e-HGV priced at as much as £200,000, the outlay may whole round £30 million. The vans boast a spread of 310 miles per cost and take about an hour to recharge at high-speed stations.
The orders kind a part of a wider plan so as to add 1,500 electrical vans to Amazon’s European fleet by 2027, backed by a £300 million funding. Although Amazon has but to reveal what number of diesel HGVs it nonetheless operates, the agency stays dedicated to attaining web zero emissions by 2040.
It’s estimated there are at the moment solely 300 electrical HGVs on UK roads. Amazon’s new orders are subsequently set to make a sizeable affect, firmly accelerating Britain’s transition to electrical transport options.
In parallel, the corporate will develop its use of rail freight, transporting transport containers on the west coast important line between Scotland, the West Midlands and London. These deliveries will hyperlink to native sorting centres for additional dealing with and last-mile service.
Amazon has additionally revealed plans for on-foot deliveries in central London, utilizing restockable trolleys and dealing alongside companions who function electrical vans and e-cargo bikes.
“This is a win for our customers, the environment and our business,” mentioned Nicola Fyfe, head of Amazon logistics in Europe. “By deploying the country’s biggest order of eHGVs, making use of the UK’s electric rail network, and launching on-foot deliveries, we are cutting emissions and boosting delivery efficiency.”
