Finally, Amazon has its own electric van and is beating the competition of the big players in door-to-door deliveries by developing a vehicle specifically designed for urban parcel delivery in collaboration with Rivian. The news came just a year after announcing “The Climate Pledge” commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2040.
The company aims to have 10,000 Amazon custom electric delivery vehicles on the road delivering to customers worldwide as early as 2022, and 100,000 by 2030. This first model is just one of three different vehicles that Amazon has invested in and which will be customized in partnership with Rivian.
Amazon’s new electric vehicles boast state-of-the-art sensor detection, a suite of highway and traffic assist technology, and a large windshield to enhance driver visibility. Outside the vehicle, there is a camera system linked to a digital display inside the cabin, which allows the driver to have a 360-degree external view. Drivers would be able to use Amazon’s integrated AI software Alexa for hand-free access to route information and the latest weather updates.
In terms of safety, there is a strengthened door on the driver’s side for additional protection, a “dancefloor” inside the driver’s cabin for easy movement inside the van, and bright taillights surrounding the rear of the vehicle to easily detect braking. From a strictly working point of view, there are three levels of shelving with a bulkhead door, which can easily be opened and closed for additional driver protection while on the road.
In support of The Climate Pledge, the e-commerce giant is committed to creating a delivery fleet that helps reach its goal to be net-zero carbon across its operations by 2040. To achieve this, Amazon is transforming its logistics network around the world by introducing new electrical solutions and using alternative methods for package delivery.
Amazon currently already employs thousands of electric vehicles around the world and is investing in introducing electric charging stations for its partners, with the aim of further extending this infrastructure. In Europe, Amazon also uses electric bicycles to make deliveries to some urban centers, and 200 electric bicycles are already in use in the New York area.
