Amazon, the largest online retailer in the world, is rolling out a new fleet of 50 heavy-duty electric trucks in Southern California in its effort to decarbonize its delivery system.
The new trucks will serve Los Angeles and Long Beach ports and other delivery locations throughout the region.
With a range of up to 275 miles and a weight of 82,000 pounds, the trucks will deliver shipping containers and packages to and from its fulfillment center in Santa Fe Springs, California, about 25 miles northeast of the twin ports, where items are prepared for their next leg in their journey, according to Amazon.
“We’re proud to launch our largest fleet of electric heavy-duty vehicles yet in California,” said Udit Madan, vice president of Worldwide Amazon Operation, in a statement. “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.”
The trucks are expected to travel a combined 1 million miles each year, according to Amazon.
Some are already on the road and the company expects to have another 12 operating at the ports by the end of the year, according to its announcement.
The company has also installed over 45 fast chargers at 11 sites to power them.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has pushed the state to adopt the nation’s most stringent deadlines to phase out diesel trucks and gas-powered vehicles, said the state’s unique environment will serve Amazon and other businesses.
“California continues to lead the way in setting world-leading climate goals,” the governor said in a statement also May 7. “No other state has created the kind of environment where Amazon and other businesses can lead on sustainability and take major steps forward like deploying this fleet of electric trucks.”
Amazon also launched its custom electric delivery vans purchased from California-based Rivian in 2022. It has about 13,500 such vehicles deployed across the country, Amazon said.
The online retailer is also investing in alternative fuels, like green hydrogen and biofuels, to reduce carbon emissions in its trucking and maritime operation.
Since 2010, Amazon has created more than 153,000 full- and part-time jobs in California and invested more than $142 billion across the state, including infrastructure from fulfillment centers, Whole Foods Market locations, and two tech hubs, according to the company.
