Amazon is making significant strides in its commitment to a sustainable future. In 2022, the company announced it was putting 100,000 electric delivery vehicles (EDVs) on the road, and it’s well on its way, having already deployed 20,000 EVs across the U.S. This initiative is a pivotal part of Amazon’s broader Climate Pledge, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The company’s Rivian electric delivery vans began hitting the streets in the summer of 2022. Over three years, Amazon has expanded the fleet to 20,000 vehicles, now operating in over 40 major U.S. cities, including Boston, Denver, New York, and Seattle. The goal is to have 100,000 EDVs in service by the end of the decade. These electric vans have already delivered a substantial number of packages: in 2024 alone, they delivered more than one billion packages to U.S. customers. Moreover, Amazon has installed over 24,000 EV chargers across 150 U.S. delivery stations, reflecting a substantial investment in the necessary infrastructure for their electric fleet.
This transition to EVs is poised to have a ripple effect across the industry. The more Amazon embraces these vehicles, the more accessible the switch becomes for the average consumer. Amazon’s expansion of its EV fleet is not limited to the U.S. The company has thousands of EDVs in operation across Europe and plans further expansion with custom Rivian vans. In total, Amazon has put over 15 different types of EVs into action, including delivery vehicles, e-cargo bikes, and e-rickshaws.
Amazon’s commitment to sustainability is driven by environmental concerns and a desire to reduce its carbon footprint. According to Statista, in 2021, Amazon’s carbon impact was equivalent to 78.86 million tons of carbon dioxide. While this is still a substantial figure, the company has made progress. In 2023, Amazon’s carbon impact decreased to 75.86 million tons, and this downward trend is encouraging. To further reduce its environmental impact, Amazon is implementing various strategies, including reducing plastic packaging, utilizing recycled materials, and exploring green hydrogen technology.
The progress of Amazon’s EDV program has been met with enthusiasm. On a Rivian subreddit, users have celebrated the arrival of the electric vans on the roads. One commenter said, “It’s cool seeing them on the roads putting in work over gasoline vans.” Other users expressed a desire to see even more EDVs making deliveries, including one person who said they “wish USPS will use Rivian EDVs as well.” Another user commented, “Hopefully they will deploy them to Canada soon.”
With ongoing investments and strategic partnerships, Amazon’s electric vehicle program demonstrates a commitment to building a sustainable future. By integrating EVs into their logistics operations, Amazon is not only reducing its own environmental impact but also helping to pave the way for broader adoption of electric vehicles across the transportation sector.
