The door-to-door retailing behemoth Amazon is electrifying its truck distribution network in the UK, ordering 140 articulated tractor units, with a further 60 going to their European operations.
Mercedes-Benz is to supply Amazon in the UK with 140 new electric eActros 600 trucks. The delivery schedule is not quite ‘next day’, but will be fulfilled over the next 18 months. Amazon says it’s part of the UK’s largest-ever eHGV order. A further 60 units are destined for Amazon’s European operations in Germany.
It radically scales up the online retailer’s green credentials. Amazon in the UK will increase from just nine eHGVs (Heavy Goods Vehicles) currently operating across the UK roads. Amazon is also acquiring a smaller order for eight Volvo FM Battery Electric trucks.
Government funding
Around 20 of the Mercedes-Benz trucks will be partly funded by participation in the UK Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme (ZEHID). Amazon was one of nineteen successful applicants for part of the £90m fund.
At the same time, Amazon says it has launched rail deliveries at scale, also using electric traction. The company intends to use the electrified West Coast Main Line, between the English Midlands (often known as the “Golden Triangle” for logistics) and Central Scotland. The WCML is popularly known as Europe’s busiest mixed traffic railway, and is the subject of an extensive upgrade plan, as reported by our sister service, RailFreight.com.
Charging infrastructure
Ports have faced power supply issues when switching to electric mobile equipment. Amazon proposes to address the challenge of keeping their new zero-emissions fleet on the road by installing additional fast-charging infrastructure across key UK sites. These include 360kW units, capable of charging the new trucks from 20% to 80% in just over an hour. The new electric trucks will have a range of 310 miles (500 km) on a full charge.
“This order of more than 140 eActros 600 for the UK signifies their understanding of the importance these trucks will have, as they drive to reach their net-zero carbon emissions targets,” said Heiko Selzam, Managing Director of Daimler Truck UK Ltd, the commercial vehicle agents.