Amazon launches first ever electric HGVs for UK fleet
They are the first of nine electric HGVs expected by the end of 2022, joining more than 1,000 electric delivery vans currently on the road in the UK
Amazon has unveiled five electric Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in its delivery fleet for the first ever time in the UK.
The 37-tonne fully-electric vehicles are now operating from Amazon’s fulfilment centres in Tilbury and Milton Keynes, replacing diesel HGVs that were previously used by the company.
According to Amazon, the move will mean that up to 100,000 annual road miles are fuelled with renewable electricity instead of diesel, preventing 170 tonnes of CO2e from being emitted.
The five vehicles are the first of nine electric HGVs expected by the end of 2022, joining more than 1,000 electric delivery vans currently on the road in the UK.
Amazon’s first electric HGVs in the UK and Europe mark an important milestone towards the electrification of its fleet, forming part of Shipment Zero, the group’s goal to deliver 50% of shipments with net-zero carbon by 2030.
Using the latest innovations in battery technology, the electric trucks will soon be using “first-of-their-kind” fast 360 kW electric charging points at Amazon’s Tilbury and Milton Keynes sites.
John Boumphrey, Amazon UK country manager, said: “Amazon is one of the first companies in the world to put electric heavy goods trucks on the road. We’re committed to becoming net-zero carbon by 2040, and this is a milestone as we continue to decarbonise our transportation network so we can deliver more customer orders using zero emissions vehicles.”
Eelco van Veen, DAF Trucks director Fleet Sales, added: “We are excited to bring the DAF CF Electric HGV into Amazon’s fleet and support their commitment towards The Climate Pledge. The DAF CF Electric truck represents an important step in the industry towards zero emission middle mile distribution.”
Investment minister Lord Grimstone said: “This is further proof that the UK’s logistics sector continues to be at the forefront of efforts to electrify fleets and transition to zero emissions vehicles. Amazon’s introduction of its first-ever fully electric heavy goods vehicles in their UK fleet is fantastic news not only for their customers but for our wider efforts to end our contribution to climate change and transition to cleaner modes of transport.”
Trudy Harrison MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport (DfT), concluded: “It is fantastic to see Amazon and the fleet industry playing its part in the UK’s world-leading plans to clean up our air, boost green jobs and decarbonise our vital transport network.
“Amazon plays a key role in transporting goods to towns and villages up and down the country and I’m pleased to see they are leading the way by going green. With the zero emission market now taking off for even the heaviest HGVs, we’ll be able to move more products around in a way that’s friendlier to our environment while supporting our net zero mission.”
