Photo credit: Amazon

Amazon has announced that it’s ordered 1,800 electric vans from automaker Mercedes-Benz to add to its delivery fleet in Europe. The e-commerce giant is doing so as part of its pledge to transition to renewable energy and reach net zero carbon by 2040. The order notably follows Amazon’s previous pledge to order up to 100,000 delivery trucks from electric vehicle upstart Rivian to add to its fleet. As part of their deal, Mercedes-Benz has announced that it’s joining The Climate Pledge, an initiative kickstarted by Amazon to encourage companies to transition towards renewable energy.

The electric vans ordered by Amazon will be delivered to the company and begin making deliveries to Amazon customers in this very year. “Amazon is adding 1,800 electric delivery vehicles from Mercedes-Benz as part of our journey to build the most sustainable transportation fleet in the world, and we will be moving fast to get these vans on the road this year,” Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos, said in a press statement.

“Amazon’s investment is a strong and concrete sign of its commitment and alignment to EU priorities,” Fabio Massimo Castaldo, a member of the European Parliament, chipped in. “Amazon continues to contribute to the achievement of the EU Green Deal goals, foster technological innovation and generate resilient and sustainable jobs in Europe. I hope that other corporations will follow Amazon’s example in the near future.”