Amazon hitting the road with 10,000 electric delivery vehicles in 2022
Amazon is officially unveiling its long-awaited custom electric delivery vehicles.
In support of its Climate Pledge commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040, Amazon is designing and building custom electric delivery vehicles in partnership with manufacturer Rivian. The e-tail giant expects the first 10,000 vehicles will be on the road delivering to customers worldwide as early as 2022, with the planned full fleet of 100,000 operational by 2030.
This is one of three different models that Amazon has invested in and completely customized with Rivian to enhance the driver experience and optimize safety. Custom safety, navigation and design features include:
• Exterior cameras around the vehicle that are linked to a digital display inside the cabin, giving the driver a 360-degree view outside the vehicle.
• Alexa integration for hands-free access to route information and the latest weather updates.
• A strengthened door on the driver’s side for additional protection.
• A “dancefloor” inside the driver’s cabin for easy movement inside the van.
• Bright tail lights surrounding the rear of the vehicle to more easily detect braking.
• Three levels of shelving with a bulkhead door, which can be opened and closed for additional driver protection while on the road.
"When we set out to create our first customized electric delivery vehicle with Rivian, we knew that it needed to far surpass any other delivery vehicle. We wanted drivers to love using it and customers to feel excited when they saw it driving through their neighborhood and pulling up to their home," said Ross Rachey, director of Amazon's global fleet and products. "We combined Rivian’s technology with our delivery logistics knowledge, and the result is what you see here; the future of last mile delivery."
"The vehicle we’ve developed with Amazon is not just electric. We prioritized safety and functionality to create a vehicle that’s optimized for package delivery," said RJ Scaringe, Rivian CEO. "We thought through how drivers get in and out of the van, what the work space feels like and what the work flow is for delivering packages."
Amazon currently operates hundreds of electric vehicles worldwide and has invested in electric vehicle charging stations for its partners to use, with plans to expand this infrastructure. The company announced that it’s adding 1,800 electric delivery vehicles this year to its fleet in Europe and is also adding 10,000 electric delivery vehicles to its fleet in India, operating in over 20 cities by 2025. In the European Union, Amazon also uses e-cargo bikes for deliveries in some urban centers and operates 200 e-cargo bikes in the New York City area.