In a significant stride towards sustainable logistics, Eicher Trucks and Buses has forged a strategic alliance with Amazon, the e-commerce giant. This partnership is poised to reshape the landscape of middle and last-mile deliveries in India by introducing a fleet of 1,000 electric vehicles over the course of the next five years.
As part of the initial phase, Amazon is set to roll out 50 electric trucks manufactured by Eicher across key urban centres such as Delhi, Manesar, and Gurugram by the conclusion of 2024. These vehicles, designed for the “middle-mile” movement of shipments between various Amazon facilities, boast cutting-edge digital capabilities. Leveraging Eicher’s proven electric vehicle platform, the trucks offer versatile deck lengths starting from 24 feet (7.3 metres) and feature adaptable cargo stacking configurations to optimise load management.
While specific details about the vehicles remain undisclosed, Amazon highlights the incorporation of both slow and fast charging capabilities, signalling a comprehensive approach to address the charging infrastructure challenges inherent in electric fleet adoption.
See also: Amazon has more than 1,000 electric delivery vehicles in more 100 cities across U.S
Describing the collaboration as a momentous milestone, Amazon underscores its success in deploying electric vehicles across over 400 Indian cities through partnerships with delivery service providers. The initiative, in line with Amazon’s 2020 announcement, underscores the company’s ambitious goal to acquire 10,000 zero-emission vehicles in India by 2025. This commitment encompasses a range of vehicles, including e-rickshaws and four-wheelers like the innovative Eicher electric trucks, now established as one of the key contributors to this transformative endeavour.
Eicher, a member of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd., a prominent multi-brand entity, stands out for its comprehensive offering which encompasses the entire spectrum of Eicher Trucks and Buses. Additionally, the company is also an exclusive distributor of Volvo Trucks in India, showcasing its diverse prowess in the commercial vehicle sector.
Vinod Aggarwal, the Managing Director and CEO of VECV, expresses his contentment with the collaboration, stating, “We are pleased to collaborate with Amazon as we initiate pilot projects for Amazon’s e-commerce deliveries in Indore, Delhi, Manesar, and Gurugram.”
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Abhinav Singh, Vice President of Customer Fulfilment at Amazon Transportation Services, Global Specialty Fulfilment, and Supply Chain at Amazon India, acknowledges the unique nature of this endeavour in terms of its scale. He iterates that while no established playbook governs the transformation of such a fleet, the partnership exemplified by Eicher and Amazon is driving progress in this domain. Singh reaffirms Amazon’s dedication to the cause, affirming the company’s strides towards integrating a substantial fleet of 10,000 electric vehicles into their delivery operations in India by the year 2025.
