- Nearly 50 heavy-duty electric trucks are rolling out, supporting Amazon’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
- Governor Gavin Newsom praised Amazon’s fleet rollout, reflecting California’s leadership in sustainability and climate action.
- Amazon operates over 140 electric yard tractors and has deployed more than 13,500 electric delivery vans across the U.S. in just two years.
Amazon’s Massive Electric Truck Rollout: 50 Heavy-Duty Vehicles Hit the Road in California
Southern California is about to see a new wave of Amazon’s green initiatives hitting the road. Nearly 50 heavy-duty electric trucks are rolling out in the region. This major launch is a significant step in Amazon’s journey to decarbonise every stage of its delivery network, from first to middle and last mile.
These electric trucks will transport cargo containers and customer packages in Amazon’s first- and middle-mile operations, complementing the hundreds of last-mile electric vans already delivering packages across California. With this addition, the fleet is expected to drive more than 1 million miles each year without producing any tailpipe emissions.
Udit Madan, Vice President of Worldwide Amazon Operations, commented;
“We’re proud to launch our largest fleet of electric heavy-duty vehicles yet in California. Heavy-duty trucking is a particularly difficult area to decarbonize, which makes us all the more excited to have these vehicles on the road today. We’ll use what we learn from deploying these vehicles as we continue to identify and invest in solutions to reduce emissions in our transportation network, and to impact sustainability in the trucking industry more broadly.“
Amazon’s “first mile” encompasses the journey of goods from factories, through customs, across oceans, into ports, and ultimately into the company’s fulfilment network. Amazon’s first-ever electric trucks for ocean freight, known as drayage trucks, are now hitting the roads at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The company plans to deploy a dozen of these electric trucks by the end of the year. These trucks transport containers from the ports to an Amazon facility in Santa Fe Springs, California, where the items are processed for their next stage in the delivery journey – the “middle mile.”
Amazon’s “middle mile” trucks move orders between fulfilment centres, sort centres, air facilities, and delivery stations, where packages are loaded into last-mile vans. In Southern California, Amazon has deployed 35 electric heavy-duty trucks for this role. To support the fleet, they’ve installed over 45 direct current (DC) fast chargers across 11 sites, demonstrating Amazon’s commitment to sustainable logistics and reducing carbon emissions in their delivery network.
Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, said;
“California continues to lead the way in setting world-leading climate goals. No other state has created the kind of environment where Amazon and other businesses can lead on sustainability and take major steps forward like deploying this fleet of electric trucks. California’s climate action continues powering our economy and creating jobs.“
Cruising Clean and Green
The battery-electric Class 8 Volvo VNR electric trucks offer a range of up to 275 miles and can handle a gross combination weight of 82,000 pounds. These heavy-duty vehicles come with advanced safety features, including active collision mitigation, blind-spot detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Drivers are enthusiastic about these electric trucks, noting their powerful performance, significantly reduced noise levels, and ergonomic cab design.
Amazon’s zero-emission fleet is steadily expanding as the company invests in sustainable solutions to meet its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Amazon has been operating electric yard tractors since 2019 and now has over 140 in action, moving trailers around its U.S. sites – making it one of the largest electric yard tractor fleets in the country. In 2022, Amazon launched its custom electric delivery vans from Rivian, and in just two years, the company has rolled out over 13,500 of these eco-friendly vans across the nation. This continued growth demonstrates Amazon’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint throughout its operations.
This expansion reflects Amazon’s broader commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainability in its global logistics and transportation network. Keep an eye out – you might spot one of these sleek electric trucks hauling packages as Amazon paves the way toward a cleaner, greener future.
