An announcement from Amazon states that the company will be innovating its approach to achieving net-zero carbon.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 25: An Amazon delivery vans are seen leaving the Amazon's JFK8 Staten Island fulfillment center in Staten Island on March 25, 2022 in New York City. Workers at Amazon's Staten Island fulfillment center will be holding in-person voting over the course of the next five days on whether to unionize. If it succeeds, this could be the first U.S. union in Amazon's 27-year history.
More Electric Vehicles for Deliveries
Electrek reported that Amazon would be investing $974.8 Million (€1 billion) in electric vehicles, such as trucks and vans, for its delivery fleet in Europe. The company aims to help the transportation industry and encourage other companies on investing to electric vehicles.
Ten thousand vans will be purchased by 2025, which is triple the amount of EVs that Amazon currently has. The company also plans to fund its "micro-mobility" delivery hubs. It enables delivery by cargo bike and on foot and is currently operating in 20 European countries.
For large deliveries, Amazon will be buying heavy-duty electric trucks like Tesla Semi, Freightliner eCascadia, and Volvo VNR electric. The last on the list for the company's investment is the installation of chargers to Amazon facilities around Europe.
Previous EV Purchases
No specific brands have been detailed by Amazon on what they have purchased for this investment. But based on a report from Reuters, 100,000 Rivian Electric Delivery Vans have been ordered by Amazon as of the moment. This was part of the $700 million investment in Rivian back in 2019.
Just last week, Amazon also purchased 20 electric trucks from Volvo, as announced by the Swedish car manufacturer in a press release. The company stated, "Volvo Trucks will deliver fully electric heavy-duty trucks to Amazon in Germany by year-end. The 20 Volvo FH Electric are expected to drive more than one million road kilometers annually, fuelled with electricity instead of diesel."
Amazon also confirmed through Vice President of Transportation Services Europe Andreas Marschener that this is the company's dedication to reducing the number of emissions of carbon dioxide produced by the company's delivery fleets.
Aside from the two mentioned purchases by Amazon, the company also recently made orders for other EV producers, such as Mercedez-Benz and Lion Electric.
Also Read: Amazon Purchases 20 Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks From Volvo
Amazon will also be spending $1 billion for the increase of wages for hourly workers in the United States, according to a report from Engadget. This decision was very timely for the company to implement as they have been criticized by many for its labor policies.
Because of this, the majority of front-line warehouse and transportation workers' starting wages will be over $19 per hour. Meanwhile, $16 per hour will be increased for staff in fulfillment and other areas of the company.
Related Article: Amazon Will Spend Nearly $1 Billion to Increase Wages For Hourly Workers in the US
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Written by Inno Flores
