The UK’s largest-ever fleet of electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) has today entered service with Amazon.

When the roll-out of the new vehicles is complete the ecommerce giant will be home to 160 eHGVs, the largest number of electric trucks in Amazon’s global transportation network.

The company estimates that the vehicles will cover a mileage equivalent to 450 trips across the world on UK roads, carrying more than 300 million products.

The 40-tonne electric trucks have been manufactured by automotive company Mercedes-Benz, and each offer a range of more than 300 miles when fully charged, transporting a load of 22 tonnes.

As well as the trucks, Amazon will be adding 800 new electric vans to its UK fleet this winter. It will also be extending pedestrian deliveries to addresses in the London Borough of Camden, to further reduce its carbon emissions and to lower traffic levels.

“The first vehicles from our record-breaking eHGV order are now on British roads, transporting products between our hubs. This marks a major milestone in our journey to decarbonise our UK transportation network,” says EU VP of Amazon Logistics Nicola Fyfe.

“These trucks, alongside more electric vans and on-foot deliveries, are a win for our customers, the environment, and our business.”

However, the national electric vehicle charging infrastructure remains a challenge to scaling electric deliveries further, adds Fyfe. “We’ve invested in our own facilities but need continued industry and government collaboration to develop the national network required for widespread electric vehicle adoption,” she says.

Amazon has installed fast charging technology at its UK sites, allowing the new trucks to be charged from 20 per cent battery capacity to 80% in just over an hour.

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