Amazon is buying a fleet of all-electric vans from Mercedes-Benz

More and more logistics companies are starting to consider electric powertrains for their delivery vehicles in order to reduce costs and choose a greener approach to business. The latest company to come on board is Amazon, who has recently updated its fleet with all-electric vans from Mercedes-Benz. 

The van that will be used in Amazon’s fleet is the eVito, a mid-size van with a 41.4 kWh battery pack and a range of almost 150 km, according to the German automaker. With a 84 kW electric motor, the van can achieve a top speed of up to 120 km/h. 

 

 

The German automaker released a press release, saying:

“By the end of the year, Amazon Logistics will have 100 eVitos in its fleet at its Bochum and Düsseldorf locations. Furthermore, Amazon and Mercedes-Benz Vans are working with other partners on a wide-ranging operator concept for the Bochum facility. Alongside the charging infra­structure, this covers parking space management and the automated capture of vehicle status.”

Since we are still at the early stages of the electrification of transport for delivery, Mercedes-Benz is working closely with its customers to adapt the vehicles to their fleets and to the infrastructure. The process is called “Customer Co-Creation” and as the company explains: 

“This includes, for instance, advice on vehicle selection, support with tools like the eVAN Ready app and overall consideration of the total cost of ownership. Also critical for potential users of the eVito and eSprinter is the analysis of the organisational and technical circumstances at the premises of commercial customers. Ultimately, the integration of an intelligent charging infrastructure concept lays the foundation for sustained competitiveness and for conserving resources with a commercial fleet.”

Recently, Mercedes-Benz also celebrated the world premier of its new, fully-electric EQC, at the Artipelag art museum.