Amazon expands on sustainable delivery service in the UK
Comments Off on Amazon expands on sustainable delivery service in the UKSource: Amazon, Cycling Industry News
Amazon has significantly bolstered its sustainability efforts in the UK by nearing the milestone of one million miles cycled using electric cargo bikes, introducing the country’s largest-ever fleet of electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) and expanding on its rail-based delivery.
These measures align with Amazon’s broader goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its global operations by 2040.
Advancing cargo bike and on-foot deliveries
In the UK, Amazon’s electric cargo bikes are nearing the one-million-mile mark, part of a broader effort that has seen over 150 million deliveries made using electric vans and bikes since 2022. Drivers and riders have cycled over 900,000 miles and driven more than 19 million miles in electric vehicles, transitioning 500,000 delivery routes from traditional fuel vehicles to zero-exhaust emission alternatives.
Recently, Amazon launched electric cargo bike operations in Belfast and Norwich, adding to hubs in London, Manchester, and Glasgow. On-foot deliveries have also been introduced in central London, supported by carts restocked by electric vans. Developed with local boroughs, these initiatives now cover over 70% of London’s congestion charge zone.
Scaling up electric transport
Amazon’s fleet is set to grow with the addition of more than 140 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks and eight Volvo FM Battery Electric trucks over the next 18 months. Once operational, these vehicles will handle over 300 million packages annually without producing exhaust emissions. The company is also installing advanced charging infrastructure, including 360kW fast chargers capable of charging 40-tonne trucks from 20% to 80% in just over an hour.
In parallel, Amazon is leveraging the UK’s electric rail network for the first time to transport packages. Products are loaded onto electric-powered trains along routes like the West Coast Main Line, reducing road congestion and emissions. Over 20 million items are expected to move via rail this year, with plans to expand services to additional routes.
Sustainability and industry leadership
The Logistics UK trade association has praised Amazon’s efforts to decarbonize freight transport, “Decarbonisation is one of the biggest challenges facing the logistics industry, as businesses seek to match the need to move away from a reliance on fossil fuels with pressures from customers to maximise delivery efficiency,” said Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director, Policy, Logistics UK. “Currently, almost 90% of the UK’s freight is moved by road, so it is important that the sector considers alternatively-fuelled vehicles and a shift to different transport modes in order to fulfil demand.”
Driving change for a cleaner future
Amazon’s commitment extends beyond logistics innovation to meaningful environmental impact. Nicola Fyfe, EU Vice President of Amazon Logistics, stated, “Decarbonising our transport network is key in helping us achieve our goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040 and today’s announcement is an exciting and major step forward for us in this mission. The combination of our – and the UK’s – biggest ever order of eHGVs, the UK’s electric rail network now being used to transport customer packages, and the launch of restocking on the move on-foot deliveries, all alongside our partners’ fleet of electric vans and e-cargo bikes, will help us move more customer orders across our fulfilment network with zero exhaust emissions. This is a win for our customers, the environment and our business.”
These developments represent forward thinking for green logistics, offering scalable solutions that tackle carbon emissions while improving air quality and reducing road congestion.
