Amazon and M&S confirm eHGV orders supported by ZEHID programme
Two major retailers have announced major orders for electric heavy-goods vehicles (eHGVs), both of which have resulted from participation in the Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme (ZEHID).
In the first, Amazon has placed orders for 140 new electric Mercedes-Benz Truck eActros 600 trucks and eight Volvo FM Battery Electric trucks which will join Amazon’s transportation network over the next 18 months. Amazon’s current fleet includes nine eHGVs.
Amazon will also install additional fast charging infrastructure, including 360kW electric charging points capable of charging the eActros trucks from 20 to 80% in just over an hour. The new electric trucks will have a range of 500 km on full charge.
In addition, Amazon has confirmed a partial move to rail deliveries with products transferred between Scotland and the Midlands on the West Coast Main Line.
Nicola Fyfe, EU VP of Amazon Logistics, said, “Decarbonising our transport network is key in helping us achieve our goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040 and this announcement is an exciting and major step forward for us in this mission. This is a win for our customers, the environment and our business.”
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood said, “Business has a crucial role to play in decarbonising our roads, and that’s why it’s fantastic to see Amazon place the UK’s biggest ever order of electric trucks, supported in part by the Government’s £200m Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator project.
Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director, Policy, Logistics UK added, “Currently, almost 90% of the UK’s freight is moved by road, so it is important that the sector considers alternatively-fuelled vehicles and a shift to different transport modes in order to fulfil demand.
And in a similar announcement Marks & Spencer has outlined plans to the introduce 85 zero or lower emission vehicles to its logistics fleet. This includes five zero emission battery electric HGVs will operate between M&S’ Clothing & Home distribution centre in Welham Green, and 30 stores across London and the South East, including Oxford Street and Bluewater.
The 42-tonne battery electric Renault trucks, delivered under the eFREIGHT 2030 project, which is also part of the Innovate UK managed ZEHID programme, will directly replace equivalent diesel trucks.
As one of the founding members of the eFREIGHT 2030 project, M&S will share insights into the performance of battery electric HGVs to demonstrate how they can replace conventional HGVs, which will inform future planning decisions while the retailer continues to implement cleaner burn fuels and lower emission vehicles.
This is on top of an order for 80 new vehicles that run on compressed natural gas, making M&S the first retailer to introduce such vehicles in the UK. The compressed natural gas lorry cabs are powered by biomethane, a sustainable renewable fuel derived from waste products including food, animal manure and waste water, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 85% compared to a diesel engine.
Once these 85 vehicles are in operation, almost 10% of M&S’ transport fleet will be powered by zero or lower-emission solutions.
Julian Bailey, Head of Group Transport at M&S, said, “Adapting our logistics network is vital in achieving our Plan A Net Zero ambitions. We’re committed to reducing carbon emissions from our transport and through collaboration we are able to reduce carbon, save energy, and drive operational efficiencies across the business. By trialling new vehicle technologies, we’re able to deliver our products, which are sourced and made with care, to our depots and stores with a lower impact on our planet.”