US e-commerce giant Amazon has launched a new “green” project in the UK that is swapping classic ICE-powered delivery vans for electric cargo bikes. At the same time, the latter are not the usual two-wheeled models, but four-wheeled vehicles stylized as electric vans.
Despite the outward resemblance to the new Rivian models, the “e-assisted vehicle” driver’s workplace is a bicycle saddle, steering wheel and chain-driven pedals. The electric motor helps carry heavy loads in assist mode, but the courier still has to pedal on his own.
Amazon plans to replace thousands of combustion-powered delivery vans with sustainable delivery methods, including electric vans, electric bikes and foot couriers. By 2030, the company wants to reach the goal of 50% completely green deliveries. Recall that in the capital of Great Britain there is already a special zone (ultra low emissions zone), where vehicles are charged an entry fee, and the more harmful emissions a car produces, the higher this fee is.
There are currently around 1,000 electric vans in Amazon’s UK fleet, with more to come by the end of the year with new Rivian models .
Source: Amazon
