Amazon Rolls Out 50 New Electric Volvo Trucks in California

Amazon is deploying 50 new heavy-duty electric trucks in Southern California as it tries to reduce pollution from its massive global shipping operations. This move is the latest step in Amazon's ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and represents a significant step in testing the capabilities of large electric vehicles in logistical operations.

The new fleet consists of 50 Volvo Class 8 VNR electric trucks, which will be employed for “drayage” tasks—transporting shipping containers from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to Amazon's facility in Santa Fe Springs, and for moving packages between Amazon sites across the region. These trucks boast a 275-mile range when fully loaded. They are equipped with cutting-edge ergonomics and safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and collision avoidance systems, enhancing the driver's comfort and safety.

Adam Baker, Amazon's vice president of NA/EU transportation and global mile, highlighted the superiority of the Volvo trucks. “They built a great vehicle for us,” he told Axios. “The drivers are already saying that the ergonomics on this are just phenomenal — things like being easier on their knees, which is a big deal.”

The operational plan for the new trucks includes charging them to 80% quickly throughout the day to ensure they can make several trips, similar to their diesel counterparts. They would also be fully charged overnight.

To support this electrified fleet, Amazon has installed over 45 DC fast chargers at 11 sites across Southern California. The company estimates that the Volvo trucks will accumulate over a million emissions-free miles annually, significantly cutting carbon emissions.

Udit Madan, VP of Worldwide Amazon Operations, discussed the company's commitment to greener delivery options. “We’re proud to launch our largest fleet of electric heavy-duty vehicles yet in California,” he said. “Heavy-duty trucking is a particularly difficult area to decarbonize, which makes us all the more excited to have these vehicles on the road today. We’ll use what we learn from deploying these vehicles as we continue to identify and invest in solutions to reduce emissions in our transportation network, and to impact sustainability in the trucking industry more broadly.”

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