Why Amazon is Investing in Fleet Decarbonisation

As part of its strategy to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, Amazon is expanding its UK transportation network with the addition of 160 electric heavy-goods vehicles (eHGVs).

This initiative represents the largest order of eHGVs in the UK, and creates the largest fleet of electric trucks within Amazon's global operations.

These vehicles will be used to transport products between Amazon's logistics hubs across the United Kingdom.

Once the fleet is fully operational it is projected to travel an annual distance equivalent to more than 450 trips around the Earth, carrying over 300 million products.

Nicola Fyfe, EU Vice President of Amazon Logistics, says: “The first vehicles from our record-breaking eHGV order are now on Britain’s roads, transporting products between our hubs.

"This marks a major milestone in our journey to decarbonise our UK transportation network.

"These trucks, alongside more electric vans and on-foot deliveries, are a win for our customers, the environment and our business."

Electric logistics and infrastructure hurdles

A key challenge identified with scaling this approach across the logistics sector is the availability of charging infrastructure.

Nicola adds: “The challenge in scaling this approach across the logistics industry, however, is charging infrastructure.

"We’ve invested in our own facilities but need continued industry and government collaboration to help develop the national network required for widespread electric vehicle adoption.”

To support its new fleet, Amazon has installed fast-charging points at its UK sites. These units can charge the electric trucks from 20 to 80% battery capacity in just over an hour.

The 40-tonne electric trucks are operated by Amazon’s carrier partners with some being part-funded through the UK Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme (ZEHID) in partnership with Innovate UK.

Supplier collaboration in decarbonisation

The order for the fleet of electric Mercedes-Benz Truck eActros 600s was placed in early 2024.

The vehicles are capable of transporting a load of up to 22 metric tonnes per journey between Amazon’s fulfilment centres, sort centres and delivery stations.

The trucks are manufactured by Daimler Truck Limited.

Heiko Selzam, Managing Director of Daimler Truck UK Limited, says: “The eActros 600 was designed for forward-thinking companies like Amazon – businesses taking real action to make logistics more sustainable.

"Seeing these trucks now on the road, delivering to Amazon customers, marks an exciting step toward the decarbonisation of road freight and the future of long-haul transport.”

Innovations in last-mile delivery

Beyond heavy-goods transport, Amazon is also deploying more than 800 new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans for its last-mile deliveries.

These vans incorporate improved safety features, ergonomic designs and enhancements such as custom shelving and sliding doors to improve driver comfort and package handling efficiency.

In London, Amazon is expanding its on-foot delivery services following the delivery of more than one million packages using this method in 2024. This approach could improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.

Following successful pilots in Hackney, Westminster and Islington, Amazon has now launched on-foot operations in Camden.

This model uses stationary vans as mobile distribution points where delivery associates collect packages and deliver them on foot to local neighbourhoods.

Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden, says: “We are partnering with Amazon to support a trial of walking deliveries from a private industrial site in Camden.

"We hope that this trial will help reduce van miles and improve local air quality. We will monitor the impacts closely and use the findings to shape future freight policy.”