Tech and retail titan Amazon has opened its first micromobility hub in Northern Ireland, stationing electric cargo bikes at its delivery station in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.
Having established the hub in Northern Ireland’s capital, the plan is to deliver thousands of packages per week to Amazon customers in the city using the cargo bikes on on-foot fulfilment. The new set-up is in partnership with last-mile delivery provider, Astral Fox.
Amazon said the move will take delivery vans off city centre roads, and help to improve air quality and alleviate congestion.
Belfast joins more than 40 locations in the UK and across Europe, including Manchester, Croydon, and Wembley, which now have Amazon micromobility hubs which facilitate both deliveries via electric cargo bikes and on-foot. The strategy to open such sites is part of Amazon’s £300 million investment to electrify and decarbonise its UK transportation network.
Jim Press, senior delivery station manager at Amazon in Belfast, commented: “Our new electric cargo bikes are part of Amazon’s commitment to reach net zero carbon across our operations by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement.
“This is a proud moment for our team, and great news for customers across the city who will benefit from zero emissions deliveries to their door.”
Nick Turkington, owner of Astral Fox, remarked: “We are delighted to work with Amazon to bring this fleet of electric cargo bikes to Northern Ireland.
“We think the electric cargo bikes are going to be a big hit with customers, while also supporting Amazon’s sustainability commitments. The future is here and this is just the beginning.”
Amazon said the company and its partners already have more than 1,000 electric delivery vans deployed across the UK and Ireland, as well as nine fully electric heavy goods vehicles as part of its fleet.
Read more about Amazon’s decarbonisation drive on Green Retail World
[Image credit: Photo © Aaron McCracken/ United National Photographers 0845 600 7737 – for Amazon]
