Amazon rolls out fleet of heavy-duty electric trucks to decarbonize more of its transportation network

Core Viewpoint - Amazon is expanding its electric vehicle fleet by introducing nearly 50 heavy-duty all-electric trucks in Southern California to enhance its decarbonization efforts in delivery operations [2][5]. Group 1: Electric Vehicle Deployment - The new fleet will handle first- and middle-mile operations, expected to travel over 1 million miles annually with zero tailpipe emissions [2]. - Amazon has already deployed 35 electric heavy-duty vehicles for middle-mile transportation in Southern California and installed over 45 fast chargers across 11 sites [5]. - The battery-electric Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric trucks have a range of up to 275 miles and a gross combination weight of 82,000 pounds [5]. Group 2: Sustainability Goals - Amazon aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and encourages others to join through the Climate Pledge [6]. - The company is investing in renewable energy sources like wind and solar to power its operations and is also funding climate tech startups [6]. - Amazon's carbon emissions increased from 2019 to 2021 but saw a decline for the first time in 2022 [6]. Group 3: Operational Insights - First-mile operations involve transporting goods from manufacturing sites through customs and into Amazon's fulfillment network [3]. - The company is utilizing electric trucks at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for container transport to its facilities [3]. - Amazon's custom electric delivery vans from Rivian, launched in 2022, have scaled to over 13,500 vehicles across the U.S. [5].