Amazon Slams Europe's 'Very Limited' Public Charging in Electric Truck OrderAmazon Slams Europe's 'Very Limited' Public Charging in Electric Truck Order

Amazon places its largest-ever order for battery-electric heavy goods trucks while warning that Europe’s charging infrastructure continues to be inadequate.

So much so, that the online home delivery giant is having to invest millions of dollars into building its own fast-charging network at its distribution hubs.

Its order for 200 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks is the largest single order the German automaker has received after extensive testing by the customer.

The vehicles will be deployed across high-mileage routes in Amazon’s middle-mile network in the both the U.K. and Germany, transporting cargo containers to and from its so-called fulfillment distribution centers, sort centers and delivery stations.

More than 140 of the eActros 600 trucks will be deployed in the U.K. and are expected to transport more than 300 million packages each year with no exhaust emissions once fully operational.

However, the deal places a huge financial burden on Amazon to compensate for the lack of public accessible fast-chargers as it pledges to invest more than €1 billion ($1.02 billion) in the coming years to further decarbonize its transport network in Europe.

Part of that investment will go to installing 360kW electric charging points at key sites in both countries, capable of charging the battery of the 40-ton trucks from 20% to 80% in just over an hour to facilitate longer delivery journeys.

Andreas Marschner, vice-president of worldwide operations sustainability at Amazon, tells Reuters: “The major transportation corridors in the U.K. and Germany are still very limited with public charging and high-capacity charging we would need for trucks. This is a challenge these days as it reduces the ability to use these assets.”

The eActros 600, which has already begun working out of the Wörth plant in Germany, has a high battery capacity of more 600 kWh claiming a maximum range between charges of 310 miles (500 km).

With intermediate charging during statutory driver breaks, the eActros 600 could cover over 610 miles (982 km) daily on routes where public charging infrastructure is available.

Karin Rådström, chairwoman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck, says, “We are very pleased that Amazon, a pioneer in the transformation towards alternative drives, has chosen the eActros 600, a game changer for sustainable transportation.”