Amazon is using electric cargo bikes that look like mini-trucks to make deliveries in the UK

Amazon has launched its first "micromobility hub" in the UK with the aim to swap "thousands" of polluting delivery trucks with electric cargo bikes and walk. The goal of the project is to help Amazon meet its climate goals.

The company plans to deliver 1 million packages a year using walking and electric cargo bikes and electric vans. Thousands of traditional van trips will be replaced by delivery workers on foot and e- bikes.

Within a tenth of London's ultra low emissions zone, the carbon neutral trips will take place. Electric vehicles and bikes are not subject to the charge.

In the coming months, Amazon will open more hubs. The company already operates 1,000 electric delivery vans in the UK, and plans to introduce a new Rivian-made lineup of vans in the US later this year.

Electric cargo bikes, which look like mini-trucks, have been gaining popularity among delivery companies looking to burnish their environmental credentials. Domino's and FedEx both use e- bikes in London, and Domino's has a partnership with a bike delivery company. In Seattle, the used cargo bikes are from United Parcel Service. The mini-trucks that are actually e- bikes are being used by a German delivery company. Food delivery workers are the only ones who use e- bikes in New York City.

Amazon didn't release any details about what they are calling their "e-assisted vehicles," though they appear to be different than most of the traditional cargo bikes that are out there They look similar to the mini-trucks first proposed by DPD, which were designed by a startup called Eav.

We haven't seen cargo e-bikes deployed by any delivery company. The UK could be the first to see Amazon's micromobility efforts if it sticks with it.