Earth Day calls us to take real action for a cleaner, healthier world. At Amazon, we’re serious about sustainability, and we know our partners and customers are too. Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Our goals and initiatives continue to evolve as we gain a clearer understanding of the impact we can have on the environment.
We rely on strong partnerships to advance our sustainability mission. Our recently launched pilot of a fuel cell hydrogen truck wouldn’t be possible without passionate partners and their drivers.
Meet Hasan, one of our Amazon Freight Partners from A.S.L. Hasan has been partnering with Amazon over the past 2 years and after successfully growing his business to 10 vehicles, he was selected to pilot a hydrogen truck, also known as GenH2.
What are GenH2 Trucks?
The GenH2 Trucks are based on the characteristics of conventional diesel Mercedes-Benz Actros long-haul trucks, in terms of payload, range, and performance. They are equipped with two special liquid hydrogen tanks and a fuel-cell system range comparable to diesel trucks with similar refuelling times.
Working towards sustainability goals with our partners
“I have a genuine interest in exploring sustainable solutions. The GenH2 Truck is now in operation five days a week, running a total distance of 420km a day. The truck is only refuelling twice a week—hydrogen refuelling is as simple as refuelling with diesel. 10-15 minutes and the truck is good to go for another 1,000km and more.” Said Hasan Yildirim, Managing Director of A.S.L.
A.S.L's driver Anja, is also excited to be involved and help test the hydrogen truck: “I love the driving experience—it is amazing. The acceleration is so smooth, and it is so quiet. And if environmentally friendly, even better—the only tailpipe emission is vapor water!”
How we're making a difference
We are continuously working to reduce emissions throughout our business. Amazon has joined corporations around the world in committing to the Climate Pledge, a goal to reach net-zero carbon across our operations by 2040.
As part of this plan, in January 2025, Amazon placed the UK’s largest ever order of electric trucks: over 200 new eActros 600 vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Trucks will join Amazon’s existing eHGV transportation network from later this year. These eHGVs will be integrated into the Amazon transportation network over the next 18 months, and are expected to transport more than 300 million packages each year with zero-exhaust-emissions vehicles.
Finding other alternatives to traditional diesel-fueled trucks is integral to making progress towards our sustainability objectives. We’re conducting this exciting hydrogen-powered truck pilot in partnership with Mercedes Benz Truck; these trucks are positioned to transform the transportation industry if successful.
Roland Dold, the Head of Advanced Engineering at Mercedes Benz Trucks, said: “During the trial, we work very closely with Amazon Freight Partner, A.S.L, and Amazon to understand how our GenH2 Truck integrates into their operations. It allows us to receive customer feedback at a very early development stage, enabling us to improve the fuel cell technology as we develop our next generation of hydrogen trucks.”
Finally, one of the most effective ways to work towards our sustainable goals is intermodality. At Amazon, we’re working to leverage more rail and sea transportation options in our transportaion network with the aim of reducing carbon emissions.
Decarbonising logistics is a tough challenge: no single company can decarbonise its business, or its transportation network alone. We’re proud of the progress we’re making towards our climate goals, but we know that there is more work to do. By working together, Amazon, our customers and our partners can support the expansion of intermodal transport options and alternative fuel vehicles.
