Amazon has launched its first-ever fully electric fleet of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in the UK as part of broader plans to become net-zero by 2040.
The online giant said the five 37-tonne vehicles have started operating from its fulfilment centres in Milton Keynes and Tilbury.
They have replaced diesel HGVs, which Amazon said would prevent 170 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted.
Amazon, which already has a fleet of more than 1,000 smaller electric delivery vans, plans to launch four more electric HGVs in the UK by the end of this year.
The etailer wants to deliver half of its shipments with net-zero carbon by 2030 and become net-zero carbon by 2040.
Amazon’s UK boss John Boumphrey said: “Amazon is one of the first companies in the world to put electric heavy goods trucks on the road. We’re committed to becoming net-zero carbon by 2040 and this is a milestone as we continue to decarbonise our transportation network so we can deliver more customer orders using zero-emissions vehicles.”
MP Trudy Harrison, parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Transport, said: “It is fantastic to see Amazon and the fleet industry playing its part in the UK’s world-leading plans to clean up our air, boost green jobs and decarbonise our vital transport network.
“Amazon plays a key role in transporting goods to towns and villages up and down the country and I’m pleased to see they are leading the way by going green.
“With the zero-emission market now taking off for even the heaviest HGVs, we’ll be able to move more products around in a way that’s friendlier to our environment while supporting our net-zero mission.”
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