The transport sector is responsible for about a quarter of the EU’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is also the largest contributor to nitrogen oxides emissions, according to the European Environment Agency. Moreover, road transport made up the highest proportion of overall transport emissions, at 73.2% of all the EU’s transport GHG emissions in 2022.

As a business that relies on every means of transportation to serve its millions of customers, Amazon is committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. In its latest concrete steps towards this goal, the company is changing how it delivers packages across Europe.

In Austria, France, Germany, Italy and the UK, Amazon is increasing its fleet of zero-exhaust emission vehicles by adding nearly 5,000 electric vans, which will be manufactured in Germany and Spain. Combined, these vehicles are expected to travel more than 100 million kilometres and deliver more than 200 million packages each year. Along with being better for the planet, the vans will include features for enhanced driver safety and ergonomics.

Neil Emery, Director, Global Fleet & Product, Amazon, said: ‘This deployment of nearly 5,000 electric delivery vans further underscores our work to reduce carbon emissions in our operations. From electric bikes to vans to trucks and infrastructure, we are well on our way to transforming our transportation network.’

Amazon’s investment follows its largest-ever order of electric heavy goods vehicles in early 2025. Once operational, the 200 new trucks will be deployed across high-mileage routes in Germany and the UK and are expected to transport more than 350 million packages each year.

Along with adding electric vehicles to Europe’s roads, Amazon’s recent partnership with the freight division of France’s public railway operator allowed half a million packages to be delivered between Paris and Lyon by high-speed train in 2025. Because rail freight generates lower emissions than traditional road transport, this initiative is a key part of the company’s €250 million investment to decarbonise its transportation network in France. Going forward, Amazon plans to implement similar initiatives across Europe, ensuring that efficient deliveries go hand in hand with environmental responsibility.