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- As part of its climate plan, Amazon has launched its electric delivery vehicles.
- By 2030, the company will gradually increase its total to 10,000 electric vehicles on the road.
On Thursday, Amazon launched its new electric delivery vehicle, a component of its climate pledge, which the company is looking to deploy worldwide as early as 2022.
Built in partnership with Rivian, an electric automobile manufacturer, the van is designed with exterior cameras and sensor technologies to enhance driver visibility, as well as other features to benefit delivery workers.
“The vehicle we’ve developed with Amazon is not just electric. We prioritized safety and functionality to create a vehicle that’s optimized for package delivery,” said Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe. “We thought through how drivers get in and out of the van, what the work space feels like and what the work flow is for delivering packages.”
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The fleet of new electric vehicles will be pivotal to the company achieving a net zero carbon footprint by 2040. According to the company’s timeline, 10,000 electric delivery vans will be on the road by 2022, and all 100,000 by 2030.
Amazon invested in Rivian after being unable to find electric vehicle manufacturers who could meet the company’s needs. To support the electric vehicle technologies, Amazon is working on installing more charging infrastructure within and outside of their delivery stations, according to Ross Rachey, director of Amazon’s global fleet and products.
“We hope our custom electric vehicle helps create a sense of urgency in the industry to think big about embracing sustainable technology and solutions — whether you’re a package delivery company, a logistics company, an ice cream manufacturer, or almost anyone else with vehicles on the road,” said Rachey.
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Amazon will be adding a total of 1,800 electric vans to its European fleet and 10,000 in India. The company already spearheaded zero to low carbon emissions deliveries with its e-cargo bikes in some European areas and in New York City.
Electric vehicles, sometimes called EVs, are largely better for the environment and the climate since they do not directly emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to run.
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