Recently, Amazon has been shifting its focus to more eco-friendly delivery services. Last year Amazon announced, it was ordering 100,000 electric vans from a start-up company Rivian Automotive LLC. Amazon now has ordered 40 electric vans from Deutsche Post’s StreetScooter unit for deliveries in the German city of Munich as it plans to go carbon neutral by 2040.
According to various reports, Germany is Amazon’s second biggest market, in challenges to major logistics firms such as Deutsche Post DHL, Amazon has been building up its own delivery business in Germany. Deutsche Post DHL took possession of StreetScooter in 2014. To grow its production, it has been looking up to new investors and customers.
Adam Elman, sustainability head for Amazon Europe, said “Amazon has already ordered a further 200 electric vehicles from other suppliers which it would start using in Germany this year. Amazon is committed to achieving the Paris agreement targets ten years ahead of schedule in 2040 instead of 2050 so we are collaborating with a number of different partners developing new technologies and helping promote a carbon-neutral economy.”
DHL will launch StreetScooter’s zero-emission Work L delivery van in the markets by spring 2020.
According to Joerg Sommer, Chief Executive Officer, StreetScooter performs better in total cost of ownership after just a few years as compared to conventional combustion-engine vehicles. Various reports from Mercedes-Benz said it had delivered 10 of its eVito electric transporters to Amazon.