Amazon is rolling out its first electric delivery vans from Rivian in Europe, launching first in Germany.
The online giant has been running the vans in the US since 2022 and has now deployed shorter, thinner versions to meet needs for its European fleet. The vans also feature bespoke technology and features.
More than 300 electric delivery vans will launch in the Munich, Berlin, and Dusseldorf regions in the coming weeks. These join the firm’s existing fleet of thousands of electric vans. Amazon revealed last year that it plans to invest more than €1bn (£0.86bn) to electrify its European transportation network and reduce carbon emissions over the coming years, including more than £300m in the UK.
It’s part of Amazon’s commitment to create a more sustainable delivery fleet and reach net-zero carbon by 2040.
Neil Emery, Amazon’s director, global fleet & product, said: “Together, Amazon and Rivian designed and built a state-of-the-art electric vehicle from the ground up, and unlike anything else on the road today. The safety and comfort of our drivers were top of mind for us throughout this process, and we’ve raised the bar on both with the vehicle we are rolling out in Europe today.”
Dagan Mishoulam, vice president, strategy & go to market at Rivian, continued: “We’re thrilled to see the electric delivery vehicles rolling out in Germany today. This vehicle was designed in conjunction with our partners at Amazon and not only puts driver convenience and safety first, but also the environment. We’ve had incredible feedback from drivers in the US and we’re excited to start international expansion in Germany. Today is a real milestone for us as it also marks the first Rivian vehicles in Europe and we’re very excited about our future in the region.”
In the US, Amazon has more than 3,000 Rivian vans delivering packages in over 500 US cities and regions. The company aims to have 100,000 electric delivery vehicles from Rivian on the road globally by 2030, working to save millions of metric tons of carbon per year.
Amazon’s Rivian vans feature a safety-first design said to give superior 360-degree visibility and with features that protect drivers and pedestrians including a large windscreen to enhance driver visibility, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and collision warnings.
The new vans from Rivian, along with the expansion of micro-mobility hubs across European cities, will help Amazon deliver even more packages in zero-emission vehicles. Its fleet also includes micro-mobility solutions such as e-cargo bikes, e-scooters and walkers.
