Amazon Tests GM’s Electric Delivery Vans in Sustainability Push
Amazon.com is stepping up its commitment to sustainability by testing General Motors’ BrightDrop electric vans for its massive delivery fleet. This move is part of the e-commerce giant’s larger plan to have 100,000 electric delivery vehicles on the road by the end of the decade. A little more than a dozen BrightDrop vans are currently being tested, joining a fleet that already includes electric vehicles from Rivian, a company in which Amazon has a significant investment.
No Change in Amazon’s Partnership with Rivian
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the company regularly tests various vehicle options to meet its delivery needs. The testing of the BrightDrop vans does not change its existing relationship with Rivian, which is Amazon’s largest investor with a 16% stake. Amazon already has over 25,000 Rivian electric vans in its fleet and began rolling them out in the summer of 2022.
GM’s Production on Hold
This news comes at a crucial time for General Motors. Production of the BrightDrop electric vans, which were first launched in 2021, has been temporarily halted at its assembly plant in Ontario until October. The reason for the pause is said to be slow sales. The testing of the BrightDrop vans by a major fleet operator like Amazon could provide a much-needed boost for the brand and help it gain traction in the competitive electric delivery vehicle market.
