The claim
Amazon's new electric delivery vehicles reportedly weigh 4.3 tons, making them too heavy to be used in Europe without special driver training.
Our conclusion
Amazon has confirmed that the Rivian brand electric vans used in Europe are approved as vehicle class N1 with a maximum total mass of 3.5 tons. This means they can be driven with a normal Class B driving license and are comparable to conventional delivery vehicles with combustion engines.
Background to the claim
A Facebook post claims that Amazon's new electric delivery vehicles, at 4.3 tons, are too heavy for European use and are not allowed to operate in many areas.
Analysis: Amazon confirms that the e-vans destined for Europe only have a total weight of 3.5 tons and can be driven with a class B driving license. This information corresponds to the requirements for delivery vehicles with combustion engines.
The Amazon press office wrote the following after a Mimikama follower from our forum, where we research together with our followers :
“This claim is absolutely false. Amazon is committed to building a delivery fleet that will help us achieve carbon neutrality across all of our businesses by 2040. In Germany alone, there are over 1,000 electric delivery vehicles in use in Amazon's transport network. More than 45 million parcels were delivered in Germany in 2022 using more sustainable means of transport such as electric delivery vehicles or cargo bikes. Amazon has also announced the launch of new customized electric delivery vehicles from Rivian in Europe in 2023. Over 300 of these vehicles are already in use in the Munich, Berlin and Düsseldorf areas.”
Confusion about vehicle models
Fact: Rivian, the manufacturer of electric vans, lists two models on its website, one of which has a total weight of around 4.3 tons.
Analysis: There could be confusion between the models described on the website and the vehicles specifically adapted for Amazon. Amazon does not comment on possible differences, but the models used in Germany are approved as N1 vehicle class.
Use of e-transporters
Fact: Amazon states that the new e-vans are already in use and has published photos of vehicles with German and Austrian license plates.
Analysis: This indicates that there were no problems with the registration of the vehicles and that they comply with European requirements.
Amazon and sustainability
Fact: Amazon is criticized for its CO₂ emissions and aims to be CO₂ neutral by 2040. The company's total emissions are increasing, but emissions per gross merchandise sales have decreased since 2019.
Analysis: The introduction of e-vans is part of Amazon's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. The different information about the vehicle models and their weight could indicate adjustments for specific market requirements.
Conclusion: Claims about the weight of the e-vans refuted
The total weight of Amazon's e-vans for Europe is 3.5 tons, which makes them drivable with a class B driving license. The claim that the vehicles are too heavy for European use has therefore been refuted. Amazon is already using these vehicles, which confirms their compliance with European regulations.
Source: dpa
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )