The UK government’s push to incentivize businesses to reduce their carbon footprint has set a new trend. Large delivery vans are now being replaced by the so-called e-cargo bikes. Amazon has long at the forefront of deploying innovative technology for its business and has been quick to adopt the e-cargo bikes along with walkers in order to achieve lower emissions for delivering products to customers.
The launch of its first UK micro-mobility hub for more sustainable deliveries in Central London will add to the efforts of Amazon’s electric fleet that is already running on London’s roads. Together, they are expected to make five million deliveries a year across more than 10 percent of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.
“Our new e-cargo bikes, walkers, and growing electric vehicle delivery fleet will help us make more zero emission customer deliveries than ever before across London and the UK,” said John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon.
Green push
The move is also set to the backdrop of Amazon’s plans to roll out have more than 30,000 new modular solar panel installations at facilities around London. The company plans to double the number of on-site solar energy projects in the UK by 2024 even as 18 on-site solar projects have already been confirmed. The retail and tech multinational expects the rooftop solar panel projects to produce more than 13,000 MWh of electricity, enough to power the equivalent of more than 3,500 UK homes each year.
Further, Amazon has outlined what it calls the ‘Shipment Zero mission’, through which 50 percent of its shipments will be net-zero by 2030 and all shipments will be net-zero carbon by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement goals.
Trudy Harrison, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Transportation, was reported saying, “Industry and Government are both working hard to achieve our net zero goals and support the growth of sustainable transport that will help create economic opportunities and support thousands of jobs across the UK. Amazon’s plans will not only boost green job opportunities, but ensure that customers will continue to receive their packages while working to protect our planet from climate change.”
Adoption dynamics
As the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy, both in the UK and worldwide, Amazon’s investment in the e-cargo bikes and walkers is bound to have a cascading effect for the development of more energy-efficient alternatives for mobility and services. The Guardian had reported that commercial sales for ‘cargo bikes’ had been over 2,000 for the year 2020. It added that according to the Bicycle Association, a similar number of units were sold for use by families and individuals.
The UK’s adoption of cargo bikes has been relatively slow compared to countries like Germany and France however, and Amazon’s adoption of ingenious delivery models through its partner businesses will provide an impetus to sustainable development.
Greg Hands, Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, said, “It is great to see Amazon taking the lead in moving away from expensive fossil fuels. This is a fantastic vote of confidence from Amazon in British energy security, renewables and electric vehicles, and a huge boon for green jobs across the UK.”
