Amazon deploys fleet of electric cargo bikes

A new fleet of electric cargo bikes will deliver thousands of packages per week after Amazon opened its first micromobility hub in Norwich.

It joins more than 40 cities in the UK and across Europe which have Amazon micromobility hubs providing electric cargo bike and on-foot deliveries.

As part of a £300 million investment to electrify and decarbonise Amazon’s UK transportation network, electric cargo bikes and walkers are now expected to make millions of deliveries to Amazon customers across the UK every year.

Connor Ashford, senior delivery station manager at Amazon in Norwich, said: “Our new electric cargo bikes are part of Amazon’s commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement.

“This is a proud moment for our team, and great news for customers across the city who will benefit from zero-emissions deliveries to their door.”

Danzen Logistics is a local courier company which provides delivery services to Amazon customers in Norwich.

Dan Zenchuk, owner of Danzen Logistics, said: “We are delighted to work with Amazon to bring this fleet of electric cargo bikes to Norwich.

“We think the electric cargo bikes are going to be a big hit with customers, while also supporting Amazon’s sustainability commitments, and providing additional delivery rider opportunities in the area.”

As well as traditional carriers, Amazon works with a community of delivery service partners - small and medium sized courier businesses like Danzen Logistics.

Amazon and its partners already have more than 1,000 electric delivery vans deployed across the UK and Ireland, in addition to nine fully electric heavy goods vehicles, the first in Amazon’s fleet, which have replaced traditional lorries.

Delivery stations power the last mile of Amazon’s order process and help speed up deliveries for customers.

Packages are shipped to a delivery station from neighbouring Amazon fulfilment and sortation centres, loaded into delivery vehicles and delivered to customers.

Amazon’s Norwich delivery station opened in September 2016 and employs more than a hundred permanent employees to process customer orders.