Amazon’s electric delivery vehicles have begun rolling out across a number of U.S. cities, with 100 cities planned by the end of this year, and 100,000 vehicles across the U.S. by 2030. An important step towards achieving its sustainable commitments.
Built from the ground up, the vehicles are the product of a 3-year collaboration between Amazon and electric automotive company Rivian. One of the first companies Amazon invested in as part of The Climate Pledge in 2019, Rivian has been designing electric vehicles since 2009 and hopes to play a significant part in accomplishing Amazon’s emission reduction goals.
Co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism, The Climate Pledge commits to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement 10 years early by attaining net-zero carbon across all operations by 2040. So far, 319 signatories have signed up to the pledge, including Microsoft, Unilever, Verizon, and Mercedes-Benz, among others.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our Climate Pledge commitment.” says Amazon CEO, Andy Jassy, “Rivian was one of the first companies Amazon invested in through the Climate Pledge Fund, and we’re just getting started on our journey to have 100,000 of Rivian’s vehicles on the road by 2030”
The new design, first revealed in 2020 has been tested in the field since 2021 and has delivered over 430,000 packages, accumulating over 90,000 miles. Amazon says this testing has allowed Rivian to continuously improve the vehicle’s performance, safety, and durability in various climates and geographies as well as its state-of-the-art features to ensure driver satisfaction, and overall functionality.
Features include a safety-first design focused on protecting drivers and pedestrians, first-of-its-kind embedded technology enabling seamless access to delivery workflows, and driver experience enhancements aimed at making the delivery experience easier. The trucks will also include long-lasting batteries that should survive the lifetime of the vehicle.
“Today represents an important step, not just for Amazon and Rivian as partners, but also for transportation and the environment,” said RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian. “In 2019, Rivian, and Amazon committed to fast-tracking a new type of delivery vehicle that would result in a significant reduction of carbon emissions. Thanks to our teams’ dedication, hard work and collaboration, and a shared commitment to make the world a better place for our kids’ kids, that vision is now being realized.”
In addition to the new delivery fleet, Amazon is investing heavily into a charging infrastructure across the country to support their use. Also partnering with the non-profit CERES, and several other fleet operators to launch the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance, bringing together and supporting companies in making and achieving bold commitments to fleet electrification.
Amazon customers can expect to see the delivery vehicles hitting the road in Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Nashville, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, and St. Louis, among other cities. This will be expanded to 100 cities by the end of the year. There are currently no details for when those outside the U.S. will see similar vehicles, however, earlier this year Amazon launched five electric Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) as part of its UK fleet.
