On 14 January 2025, Amazon announced the signing of its largest-ever order for heavy-duty electric vehicles: more than 200 road tractors from Mercedes-Benz Trucks. These trucks, all from the eActros 600 range, will be delivered in multiple batches starting in 2025 and will support the e-commerce giant's transport operations in Germany and the UK. The road tractors will be used on high-mileage middle-mile routes, moving containers between distribution centres, sorting hubs, and delivery stations. Through this initiative, the vehicles are expected to transport over 350 million parcels annually without tailpipe emissions.
Before signing the order, Amazon trialled a near-final prototype of the eActros 600 at one of its logistics centres in Germany, gathering critical data to aid the vehicle’s mass production. Stina Fagerman, Head of Marketing, Sales, and Services at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, remarked: "Amazon is a key partner in our journey toward CO2-neutral transport. Field tests with Amazon provided valuable insights that will be crucial for the successful production and deployment of the eActros 600."
This order is part of Amazon’s commitment to The Climate Pledge, aiming to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions across its operations by 2040. In terms of transport, this includes improving route efficiency, advancing zero-emission vehicle technology and alternative fuels, and collaborating with businesses and governments to accelerate the development of charging infrastructure.
To support its growing fleet of electric trucks, Amazon plans to install 360 kW electric charging stations at key logistics hubs, enabling the trucks' 40-tonne batteries to be charged from 20% to 80% in just over an hour. Additionally, Amazon will collaborate with stakeholders to install external charging points in strategic locations to enable longer journeys.
The eActros 600 is Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ flagship electric truck for long-haul transport. It boasts a battery capacity exceeding 600 kilowatt-hours and a range of 500 kilometres, thanks to an efficient electric drive axle. The truck is compatible with existing heavy-duty charging infrastructure of up to 400 kW and will also be capable of megawatt charging. Mercedes-Benz Trucks recently began production of the eActros 600 at its Wörth facility in Germany.
In 2022, Amazon announced plans to invest over €1 billion over five years to further electrify its delivery service provider network across Europe, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions associated with parcel deliveries. By the end of 2024, Amazon’s delivery service provider network included 38 electric heavy-duty trucks, while 50 additional electric trucks were recently deployed in California. Alongside heavy-duty vehicles, Amazon partners utilise over 3,000 electric vans for parcel deliveries across Europe, a figure expected to exceed 10,000 by 2025. Amazon has also doubled the number of cities equipped with micromobility hubs, enabling millions of deliveries by foot, e-cargo bikes, or electric cargo scooters, growing from 20 hubs in 2022 to over 45 by 2024. Recent additions include Belfast, Madrid, Rome, and Vienna, joining cities like London, Paris, Milan, and Munich.
