In a move towards sustainable delivery, Amazon has announced the expansion of their electric cargo bike fleet in Scotland’s biggest city. This comes after the successful launch of similar fleets in London and Manchester last year.
Amazon is expanding their electric cargo bike fleet into Glasgow, marking the first time they’ll be using them in Scotland. The Baillieston area will be home to Amazon’s new Glasgow delivery hub, part of their £300 million investment in decarbonising and electrifying their UK transportation network. Amazon is committed to reducing their carbon footprint and embracing sustainable delivery methods.
Amazon’s commitment to sustainable delivery methods has led to an impressive figure of around 2.5 million deliveries in the UK every year via electric cargo bikes and on-foot deliveries. The e-commerce giant is now expanding its reach into Scotland‘s most populous city, Glasgow, with a new delivery hub in the Baillieston area.
The new fleet of electric cargo bikes is expected to deliver hundreds of thousands of packages across the city, which will not only reduce the number of traditional vans on the road but also alleviate traffic congestion and improve air quality. This move marks Amazon’s £300 million investment in decarbonising and electrifying their UK transportation network, making them one of the leading players in sustainable delivery methods.
It’s worth noting that Amazon’s latest push into sustainable transportation has been met with great success. Utilizing electric cargo bikes and on-foot deliveries, the e-commerce giant has expanded its operations to include more than 20 cities across the UK and Europe. In fact, just last year, Amazon launched new hubs in London and Manchester, bringing their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint to even more customers.
“With more than £300 million committed to electrifying and decarbonising our transportation network over the coming years, we remain laser focused on reaching net zero carbon by 2040. The new hub in Glasgow will not only bring our Scottish customers more electric-powered deliveries, but also support the local authority in looking for ways to reduce congestion and find alternative transportation methods. We look forward to expanding our e-cargo bike fleet further in the months ahead.”
John Boumphrey
UK Country Manager, Amazon
The Scottish Minister for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, expressed her support for major businesses that are investing in micromobility delivery hubs. She believes that this move will greatly benefit our cities. By opting for e-cargo bikes instead of vans, businesses can not only decrease their carbon emissions but also alleviate congestion and enhance air quality. This decision is not only sensible but also financially sound as it reduces running costs and provides couriers with a more holistic and satisfying approach to making deliveries on a daily basis.
“I hope that many more organisations consider the benefits of active travel to deliver goods and services. Record Scottish Government investment is transforming active travel infrastructure across the country. Companies that take advantage of this opportunity have much to gain by offering customers faster and more reliable deliveries around our largest cities.”
Amazon has taken significant steps towards achieving its goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transportation. Over 1,000 electric delivery vans are already in operation on UK roads, along with nine fully electric Heavy Goods Vehicles, which replaced traditional diesel trucks.
This year, Amazon announced that it will add more than 300 custom electric vans from Rivian to its delivery fleet in Germany. The company aims to have 100,000 electric delivery vehicles on the road worldwide by 2030, which will help to save millions of metric tons of carbon annually.
Amazon has made significant strides in promoting sustainable energy consumption, as it is now the leading corporate purchaser of renewable energy worldwide, and in the UK. In fact, it is projected that by 2022, 90% of the electricity consumed by Amazon globally will come from renewable energy sources. This feat has been made possible by the company’s investment in over 400 wind and solar projects across the globe. By committing to sustainable energy practices, Amazon is setting the standard for corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship.
It is also worth highlighting Amazon’s significant investment in renewable energy across the UK, particularly in Scotland. The company has established windfarms at Beinn an Tuirc in Campbeltown, Argyll, and Kennoxhead (two phases) near Redshaw, South Lanarkshire. In fact, Amazon UK recently enabled the first renewable energy project on the Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland, which is now operational and delivering clean energy. This 50 MW wind farm is expected to generate 168,000 MWh of clean energy annually, enough to power 46,000 homes in the UK. What’s more, Amazon has committed to purchasing 100% of the power output from this wind farm, demonstrating its dedication to promoting sustainable energy practices.
