The e-commerce giant has joined the European E-Mobility E Logistics Hub initiative, a coalition of manufacturers, energy companies and public decision-makers working to promote the electrification of heavy goods vehicles on the Old Continent. The stated aim is to accelerate the electrification of urban and inter-urban logistics, by bringing together public and private players.
A collective dynamic
Until now, each player has generally acted separately, making deployment slow and costly. Now, with this hub, the objective is clear: to speed up the introduction of zero-emission HGVs and the appropriate charging points. The idea is to bring together manufacturers, hauliers and logistics operators around the same table. Amazon is joining this circle to put its economic weight behind large-scale electrification.
The importance of electrifying logistics transport
When we talk about electric mobility, we think mainly of cars, and it’s true that in this area, electric vehicles are gaining ground on private cars. But logistics is still lagging behind: it is difficult to decarbonise. And that’s a cause for concern when you consider that lorries still account for almost a quarter of European road transport emissions. Without massive electrification, the EU’s climate targets will not be met. By joining this hub, Amazon is sending out a strong signal: its deliveries, often singled out for their carbon footprint, will have to become cleaner.
A solid foundation
Amazon is no novice when it comes to the ecological transition in transport. The world leader in e-commerce already operates several thousand electric vans for its urban deliveries in Europe. Its commitment to the E-Mobility E-Logistics Hub proves that it has no intention of stopping there, taking the electrification of HGVs one step further.
What are the hopes for this project?
The success of this project will depend on the speed of deployment of ultra-fast charging stations capable of handling trucks and vans. Without this, electrification will remain limited. But the arrival of a player like Amazon shows that the sector is ready to change scale.
