Amazon's fleet of Rivian designed electric vans grows to 10,000

In a significant move toward sustainability, Amazon has deployed more than 10,000 custom electric delivery vans across the United States. This initiative is part of Amazon's broader commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, as pledged in the Climate Pledge co-founded by the company in 2019.

Amazon's partnership with Rivian, an electric vehicle automaker that manufactures vehicles in Normal, Illinois, aims to put 100,000 electric delivery vehicles on the road by 2030. The collaboration began with a simple sketch three years ago and has since evolved into a fleet of state-of-the-art electric vans. These vehicles are expected to eliminate millions of metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

The electric vans began rolling out in the summer of 2022 and are now operational in over 1,800 cities across the U.S., including major cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. Amazon has also expanded its electric van operations to Europe, with more than 300 vans soon to hit the roads in Germany.

These custom electric vans are not just eco-friendly but also packed with innovative features aimed at safety and efficiency. They offer 360-degree visibility, sensor detection, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The vans also come with embedded technology that integrates the delivery workflow, providing drivers with seamless access to routing, navigation, and support.

To date, these vans have delivered more than 260 million packages in the U.S. alone. Amazon has also invested $200 million in safety technology across its transportation network for 2023. Additionally, the company has installed over 12,000 chargers at more than 100 delivery stations across the U.S. to support its electric fleet.

But Amazon's green initiatives don't stop here. The company is also exploring other alternative fuel methods, including green hydrogen and ultra-low carbon electrofuels. Amazon has committed to investing more than 1 billion euros over the next five years to further electrify and decarbonize its transportation network across Europe.

As the company continues to innovate in packaging and increase recyclability, it remains committed to delivering products safely while reducing its carbon footprint. This move sets a precedent not just for Amazon but also for the broader transportation industry, encouraging a quicker transition to sustainable practices.