Amazon has made a groundbreaking commitment to sustainability by ordering over 140 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600s and eight Volvo FM Electric trucks, marking the largest electric heavy goods vehicle (eHGV) order in UK history. The new fleet will be introduced over the next 18 months, replacing the retailer’s existing diesel trucks and advancing its mission to decarbonize operations.
A portion of the fleet will support the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, a government-backed initiative to promote sustainable transport. Around 20 of the Mercedes-Benz trucks and all eight Volvo FM Electrics will participate in the programme, which is funded by the Department for Transport and Innovate UK.
Lilian Greenwood, the Future of Roads Minister, praised Amazon’s investment, stating:
“Business has a crucial role to play in decarbonising our roads, and that’s why it’s fantastic to see Amazon place the UK’s biggest ever order of electric trucks, supported in part by the Government’s £200m ‘Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator’ project. This comes on top of our £2.3bn to help industry and consumers switch to electric vehicles, supporting jobs, attracting investment, and making Britain a clean energy superpower.”
To support the incoming fleet, Amazon will install additional fast-charging facilities at key sites across the UK. These facilities will include 360kW chargers capable of recharging the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 from 20% to 80% in just over an hour. On a full charge, the eHGVs boast an impressive range of up to 310 miles.
Nicola Fyfe, EU Vice President of Amazon Logistics, highlighted the importance of the investment:
“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.”
This move underscores Amazon’s commitment to sustainability while setting a new benchmark for green logistics in the UK.
