Amazon is expanding its fleet of electric vehicles by introducing nearly 50 heavy-duty all-electric trucks in Southern California. These trucks will be used for first- and middle-mile operations, helping to reduce carbon emissions in the tech giant’s delivery operations. The trucks are expected to travel more than 1 million miles each year with zero tailpipe emissions, contributing to Amazon’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2040.
First-mile operations involve moving goods from manufacturing facilities, through customs, and into Amazon’s fulfillment network. Amazon has already deployed electric trucks at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and plans to use a dozen of these vehicles by the end of the year. Additionally, middle-mile trucks will transport Amazon orders between various facilities in Southern California, with the company installing over 45 fast chargers to power these vehicles.
The battery-electric Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric trucks have a range of up to 275 miles and a gross combination weight of 82,000 pounds. Amazon is excited to have these trucks on the road, as the heavy-duty trucking sector is difficult to decarbonize. The company aims to use the insights gained from deploying these vehicles to further reduce emissions in its transportation network and promote sustainability in the trucking industry as a whole.
In addition to electric trucks, Amazon has also introduced custom electric delivery vans from Rivian, which are now used in more than 13,500 locations across the U.S. The company is committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2040 and is encouraging others to join the effort through the Climate Pledge. Amazon is investing in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to support its operations and is also funding climate tech startups.
While Amazon’s carbon emissions increased between 2019 and 2021, the company saw a drop in emissions for the first time in 2022. By transitioning to electric vehicles and investing in sustainable practices, Amazon is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact and create a more sustainable future. The introduction of electric trucks in Southern California is just one example of Amazon’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize its delivery operations and promote sustainability in the transportation industry.
