Amazon has announced that it will invest €1 billion over five years to electrify its delivery fleet in Europe. The funds will be used to “triple” Europe’s EV fleet to 10,000 vans and 1,500 “electric heavy goods vehicles.” The company has stated that it intends to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The announcement comes as Amazon’s carbon footprint increased last year, despite the company’s efforts to position itself as a climate leader. According to its most recent sustainability report, its carbon dioxide emissions increased by an astounding 18% in 2021 compared to 2020.
Amazon claims to have 3,000 electric delivery vehicles in Europe that have delivered 100 million packages by 2021. Amazon did not specify how many of its European deliveries are made by electric vehicles.
Amazon has begun to deploy a new electric van manufactured by Rivian in the United States. The retailer agreed to buy 100,000 vans from Rivian, which are expected to be fully deployed by 2024. Amazon also has an agreement with Stellantis to purchase electric delivery vehicles based on the Ram ProMaster commercial van.
Amazon is also testing the use of electric bikes for last-mile deliveries in Europe, though it has not said whether those tests will be expanded to the United States. The company has established “micro-mobility hubs” in more than 20 European cities, including London, Munich, and Paris, and expects to double that number by the end of 2025. Amazon employees deliver packages on foot from these hubs in addition to using e-bikes.
Many global delivery companies have committed to transitioning to an all-electric fleet, but the process has been slow thus far. Volkswagen, Ford, and General Motors have only recently begun to roll out their own electric delivery vehicles, and it will be years before they account for the majority of delivery vehicles on the road today.
