Logistics giants Amazon and Global Optimism, through The Climate Pledge, have partnered with climate leadership network C40 Cities to launch the Laneshift initiative. This collaborative effort aims to tackle carbon emissions in developing countries by promoting zero-emission freight through the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in medium- and heavy-duty shipping.
Laneshift will focus on accelerating the development of EV infrastructure and the deployment of EV trucks in several Indian and Latin American cities. The Climate Pledge has committed $10 million to jumpstart this endeavor.
Amazon has been actively working towards decarbonizing its transportation network by entering into multiple EV partnerships. In 2022, the company operated over 9,000 electric delivery vehicles in the US and Europe. Amazon now has more than 5,000 Rivian EVs operating in the US, with plans to have 10,000 EVs in India by 2025. The company aims to deploy 100,000 Rivian EVs globally by 2030.
Road freight alone emitted over 2.2 billion metric tons of CO2 in 2020, which is double the combined emissions of air, sea, and rail freight. The Laneshift initiative, in collaboration with C40 Cities, aims to lay the groundwork for the adoption of EVs in the freight industry in India and Latin America. This will result in cleaner air, reduced emissions, and the creation of green jobs.
In addition to Laneshift, Maersk and CMA CGM, two major players in the container shipping industry, have also joined forces to accelerate the decarbonization of ocean shipping. They will collaborate to explore alternative greener fuels and develop standards for the operation of vessels powered by these fuels. Both companies have ordered vessels that can be operated on bio/e-methanol, and CMA CGM has also ordered liquefied natural gas (LNG)-propelled vessels.
The Laneshift initiative and the partnership between Maersk and CMA CGM are significant steps towards reducing carbon emissions in the shipping industry and transitioning to more sustainable transportation solutions, ultimately contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.
Sources:
– Sourcing Journal: [source]