"More than 20,000 electric delivery vehicles have been put into operation, but our goal goes far beyond this." A recent statement released by Amazon once again sent a signal to the outside world: the "green revolution" in the logistics sector has only just begun.

This is not just empty talk. Since signing the Climate Pledge in 2019, Amazon has set an ambitious goal—to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040. In this vision, logistics, especially last-mile delivery, has become the key breakthrough point.

Image source: about amazon

Commitment to 100,000 Electric Delivery Vehicles

Shortly after the Climate Pledge was released in 2019, Amazon announced a partnership agreement with U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian: by 2030, it plans to put 100,000 electric delivery vehicles on the road, fully replacing traditional fuel vehicles. This plan not only focuses on reducing carbon emissions, but is also a complete overhaul of logistics efficiency.

After years of research and deployment, Amazon now has more than 20,000 electric delivery vehicles online in the United States, covering thousands of cities and communities. From bustling neighborhoods in California to quiet towns in the Midwest, these electric vehicles have delivered more than 1 billion packages to users.

But for Amazon, this is far from enough.

Amazon has deployed more than 20,000 electric delivery vehicles in the U.S. Image source: Chain store Age

Technology Empowerment: The "Secret Weapon" of Last-Mile Delivery

Getting 20,000 vehicles running is not difficult, but making them run faster and more accurately is quite a challenge. To this end, Amazon has tailor-made an AI system called "Visual Aid Package Retrieval" (VAPR) for these electric vehicles.

This system can mark packages at delivery stations using projection technology: a green "O" indicates the correct package, while a red "X" reminds drivers to avoid picking up the wrong one. This technology greatly shortens the time couriers spend picking up packages, which is especially important during peak periods.

AI identifies delivery packages Image source: about amazon

Global Expansion of the Electric Vehicle Fleet

The deployment of electric delivery vehicles is not limited to the United States. Amazon has already brought them to the European and Indian markets.

Europe is an important part of Amazon's global business. In 2022, Amazon announced that it would invest $1 billion in Europe over the next five years to promote the adoption of zero-emission vehicles. Countries such as France, Germany, and the UK have already launched electric vehicle fleets, with new delivery vehicles on the streets of London becoming a symbol of environmental protection.

By contrast, the Indian market faces more complex challenges. Crowded streets, unstable infrastructure, and the demand for small delivery vehicles have forced Amazon to adjust its strategy—rolling out smaller electric vehicles, including three-wheeled EVs and electric rickshaws, to flexibly respond to local conditions.

Amazon will invest $1 billion in Europe over the next five years Image source: about amazon

Diversified Delivery Methods: Multiple Fronts of the Green Revolution

Although electric delivery vehicles are the core, Amazon is clearly not satisfied with a single solution. In the last mile of urban logistics, Amazon improves efficiency through various means:

Electric Cargo Bikes

In the congested city centers of New York, Paris, and other places, Amazon has deployed electric cargo bikes. These bikes are not only flexible but also avoid the "standstill" of trucks during peak hours. This year, Amazon launched an upgraded model, increasing the number of packages deliverable in a single trip to 120, injecting more possibilities into busy urban logistics.

Image source: about amazon

Walking Delivery

In areas with heavy traffic, walking delivery has become an important supplementary method for Amazon. Using handcarts, couriers can more easily access residential buildings and commercial districts. According to statistics, last year the number of packages delivered by walking exceeded 220,000.

Image source: about amazon

Drone Delivery

Although drone delivery sounds more like future technology, Amazon has already made it a reality. The latest generation MK30 drones are now in operation in Arizona. These drones can deliver packages to consumers' doorsteps within minutes and easily avoid traffic congestion.

Image source: about amazon

Last Mile: Amazon's Moat

The logistics industry often says the last mile is "the most expensive mile." How to control costs while ensuring speed and accuracy has always been a challenge for all e-commerce platforms. Amazon is trying to turn the last mile into its own moat through dual innovation in technology and models.

Electric delivery vehicles reduce dependence on fuel, bikes and walking delivery solve urban congestion, and drones make remote delivery more efficient. These seemingly scattered initiatives actually weave a global delivery network, giving Amazon more initiative in fierce market competition.

Image source: Forbes

Conclusion: The Future of Green Logistics

From 20,000 electric delivery vehicles to diversified logistics solutions covering the U.S., Europe, and India, Amazon is defining "green logistics" in its own way. But it is clear that there is still a long way to go to the goal of "net zero carbon emissions by 2040."

In the future, as more electric vehicles come online and technology matures further, can Amazon truly achieve this "green revolution"? Perhaps every step of its exploration is a lesson worth learning for the industry.