Amazon orders more than 1,000 natgas engines for U.S. truck fleet

Westport Fuel Systems

05/02/2021 21:21

(Adds statement from Amazon, quote, details, background,)
    By Laura Sanicola
    Feb 5 (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc  AMZN.O  has ordered more
than 1,000 truck engines that run on compressed natural gas as
it tests ways to shift its U.S. fleet away from heavier
polluting trucks, the company told Reuters on Friday.
    The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a surge in delivery
activity for the likes of Amazon which saw sales soar 38% in
2020 , and similar uptick in activity for delivery vehicles that
emit higher levels of pollution than passenger vehicles.
    Transportation companies are building their stable of
electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions. However, much of
the nation's freight is delivered via medium- and heavy-duty
trucks, which account for more than 20% of the industry's
greenhouse gas emissions even though they make up less than 5%
of the road fleet, according to U.S. federal data. 
    "Amazon is excited about introducing new sustainable
solutions for freight transportation and is working on testing a
number of new vehicle types including electric, CNG and others,"
the company said in a statement. 
    Electric-powered motors are considered less viable for
heavy-duty trucks than for the average passenger vehicle. 
    The engines, supplied by a joint venture between Cummins Inc
 CMI.N  and Westport Fuel Systems Inc  WPRT.TO , are to be used
for Amazon's heavy duty trucks that run from warehouses to
distribution centers. They can operate on both renewable and
non-renewable natural gas, according to two sources familiar
with the matter. 

 (Reporting by Laura Sanicola; additional reporting by Tim
Aeppel and Lisa Baertlein
Editing by Marguerita Choy)
 ((Laura.Sanicola@thomsonreuters.com;))