Amazon launches first UK fleet of e-cargo bikes

Amazon has announced the launch of its first fleet of e-cargo bikes and walkers in the UK, creating a new micromobility hub for sustainable deliveries in Central London, directly replacing thousands of traditional van trips on London’s roads and reducing traffic congestion.

Working with the London Borough of Hackney, Amazon created this new hub with plans to make over one million customer deliveries per year, on top of the deliveries already being completed by its electric vans.

Alongside Amazon’s electric fleet already on London’s roads, the new fleet will reportedly make over five million deliveries a year across more than 10% of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Amazon has also announced plans to rollout over 30,000 new modular solar panels installed on its facilities in Manchester, Coalville, Haydock, Bristol and Milton Keynes by the end of the year, to help power those facilities with renewable energy. Amazon will double the number of on-site solar energy projects in the UK by 2024.

The company has confirmed 18 on-site solar projects in the UK and plans to more than double the number of projects by 2024. This investment supports Amazon’s plan to power its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025 – five years ahead of its 2030 commitment.

Once operational, the new rooftop solar panel projects are expected to produce more than 13,000 MWh of electricity, which Amazon said is enough to power the equivalent of more than 3,500 UK homes each year.

These initiatives come as the company plans to move closer to its Shipment Zero mission – to deliver 50% of Amazon shipments with net-zero carbon by 2030, and to be net-zero carbon by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement.

John Boumphrey, UK country manager for Amazon, said: “Our new e-cargo bikes, walkers and growing electric vehicle delivery fleet will help us make more zero emission customer deliveries than ever before across London and the UK.

“Doubling the number of on-site solar projects at our facilities across the UK further demonstrates our ambition to power our operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025 and represents an important step on our journey to be net-zero carbon by 2040.”

Trudy Harrison, transport minister, said: “Industry and Government are both working hard to achieve our net zero goals and support the growth of sustainable transport that will help create economic opportunities and support thousands of jobs across the UK.

“Amazon’s plans will not only boost green job opportunities, but ensure that customers will continue to receive their packages while working to protect our planet from climate change.”