Amazon ramps up UK electric fleet with rail and cart deliveries

Amazon is expanding its eco-friendly delivery network in the UK with the purchase of over 140 electric trucks, an increase in rail freight and the use of post-style delivery carts in cities.

Sarah Butler reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Amazon has ordered 148 electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) from Mercedes-Benz and Volvo as part of its plan to decarbonize UK operations by 2040.
The company will also use electric trains on the west coast mainline to transport up to 20 million products annually.
New delivery carts will reduce van usage in London, with pilot programs already running in Hackney, Westminster and Islington.

Key quote:

"Decarbonising our transport network is key in helping us achieve our goal to reach net zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040."

— Nicola Fyfe, European vice president of Amazon Logistics

Why this matters:

Heavy freight transport is a significant source of carbon emissions, and Amazon’s investment in electric trucks and rail could set a precedent for other logistics companies. However, insufficient charging infrastructure and high costs remain hurdles to widespread adoption.

www.theguardian.com

Amazon ramps up UK electric fleet with rail and cart deliveries

‘Wastelands’ no more: India charts a future for its grasslands

Shell’s hidden climate knowledge under scrutiny as court battle looms

Can flying ever really be sustainable?

Opinion: Pesticides aren’t just making us sick, they’re cooking the planet

4 things to know about cyclospora and climate change

The coal industry gave Trump a wish list. He’s checking items off it

Amid the artificial intelligence boom, coal returns — with a familiar cost

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.