Amazon backs EV retrofit funding to boost UK net-zero transport

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Today, we report on Amazon’s landmark deployment of electric heavy-goods vehicles that marks one of the largest zero-emission truck orders in the UK to date.

In a significant move that underscores its commitment to decarbonisation, Amazon UK has taken delivery of 80 battery-electric heavy-goods vehicles for its last-mile logistics operations. The vehicles rolled out this week across London, Birmingham and Manchester depots, replacing diesel trucks on urban delivery routes.

This order forms a central pillar of Amazon’s Shipment Zero initiative, which aims to make 50% of shipments net-zero by 2030. Each 26-tonne vehicle is equipped with an 80kWh lithium-ion battery pack and next-generation electric drivetrains supplied by Tevva Trucks. Supporting infrastructure includes high-capacity depot chargers installed by Centrica Business Solutions in collaboration with UK Power Networks.

Net Zero News can reveal that this fleet expansion aligns with the UK’s legally binding net-zero target set for 2050 and complements the Department for Transport’s ambition to decarbonise road freight. Heavy goods vehicles account for nearly 20% of the country’s transport emissions, and electrification of this scale is critical to meeting interim carbon budgets.

By switching 80 trucks to zero-tailpipe emissions, Amazon expects to avoid more than 1,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually. In addition to carbon savings, the vehicles will cut nitrogen oxides and particulate pollution, improving air quality in densely populated urban centres where Clean Air Zones are in force.

Amazon has invested approximately £12 million in these vehicles and their supporting charging network. The company has also secured a £3 million grant from Innovate UK’s Zero Emission HGV Demonstrator programme. Key delivery partners include Tevva, Centrica, UK Power Networks and the Energy Saving Trust, which provided technical oversight.

Net Zero News understands the Department for Transport and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles have played an instrumental role in co-funding infrastructure upgrades. The project is supported by Zemo Partnership, which facilitated testing and validation of the trucks under real-world delivery conditions.

In a significant step towards the UK’s net-zero goals, this deployment forms part of the wider Transport Decarbonisation Plan published in July 2021. It also dovetails with the upcoming Zero Emission Vehicle mandate for heavy-duty vehicles, scheduled to require a proportion of new HGV registrations to be zero-emission from 2030.

Local authorities in London, Birmingham and Manchester have welcomed the initiative, noting quieter roads and reduced air pollution levels in residential areas. Amazon is retraining 200 drivers through its UK green skills programme, ensuring teams can manage electric fleets and charging operations safely and efficiently.

This order not only accelerates fleet electrification but also drives growth in UK manufacturing and charging infrastructure development. While grid capacity upgrades and the rollout of public charging hubs remain ongoing challenges, this project demonstrates a clear pathway for other logistics operators to follow.

Looking ahead, Amazon plans to increase its UK electric HGV fleet to 300 vehicles by the end of 2026 and to 1,000 by 2028. The company will continue collaborating with government agencies and industry partners to expand charging networks and share best practices for scaling zero-emission freight.

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