Amazon’s attempts to show the world that it’s not using up all its resources with thousands of vans in the world are upping gears – well, sort of.
If you snag some bargains during this year’s Prime Day sale, your package could arrive on the back of a new e-cargo bike consisting of a custom four-wheel chassis and enclosed trailer, as part of a new test that is currently underway. starting in the UK.
And if you don’t see this, as part of the fuel saving effort, your Amazon delivery could show up from someone on foot (via The Guardian (opens in new tab)).
These new options are being tested by an Amazon delivery hub in East London’s Hackney borough. They are joining Amazon’s growing fleet of electric vans as Amazon works to achieve its goal of being carbon neutral by 2040.
An ecological future?
Amazon’s new delivery options should also help it lower the cost of getting packages to London residents. The new vans and e-bikes will be exempt from the London Congestion Charge – a fee paid by drivers unless their vehicle meets certain low-emissions standards.
Amazon has made several promises to become less impactful on the environment – it has been estimated that a 20% increase in cardboard in the 2010s (opens in new tab) was powered by brands like Amazon shipping various packages to consumers across the world.
While the trial is just beginning, Amazon isn’t around. It already has plans to open additional e-bike delivery centers in the near future and is expected to launch new electric vans manufactured by Rivian in the US before the end of 2022.
E-bikes aren’t just a sustainable option for deliveries; they are also perfect for the environmentally conscious traveler, helping you to reduce your carbon footprint while also giving your trip some energy so you can get to your destination faster. If you want to see what’s out there, check out our picks for the best e-bikes you can ride today.