Amazon is tapping Swedish company Einride for its large electric platforms

Einride is adding 75 heavy-duty electric trucks to Amazon’s Relay charging network as part of a deal that gives the Swedish startup a foothold in the e-commerce giant’s operations. Einride will also provide charging infrastructure across five locations in the United States, under the agreement Announce Tuesday.

Amazon does not purchase or operate the electric trucks. Instead, Einride will own and operate the trucks (using its Saga AI software), which drivers can use in Amazon’s Relay shipping network. relaywhich launched in 2017, is an app that truck drivers can use to book transportation services with Amazon.

Einride CEO Roozbeh Charli, who He took over as president Nearly a year ago, he said working with Amazon was a powerful validation of the startup’s technology and strategic vision.

“By deploying our smart platform within one of the world’s most advanced logistics networks, we are accelerating growth, while continuing to build industry-leading operational expertise,” he said in a statement.

Einride has gained attention and investment for its two-pronged approach to shipping. The company has developed and operates a fleet of around 200 heavy electric trucks for companies such as Heineken, PepsiCo and Sweden’s Carlsberg in Europe, North America and the UAE. It has also developed autonomous pod-like trucks, which feature a cab-less design.

The agreement with Amazon does not include standalone pods.

Einride has concluded this agreement at a critical time: the startup is finalizing a merger with Legato Merger Corp. It is expected to become public almost.

While the agreement may not carry the same weight for Amazon, which has a market capitalization of $2.7 trillion, it contributes to its low-carbon goals. Amazon has said it wants to reach net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040.

“This rollout is an important step forward in addressing one of our toughest challenges in decarbonizing our transportation network – the electrification of heavy trucking,” an Amazon spokesperson said in an email statement. “We are excited to continue collaborating with Einride and learning from these operations as the trucks take to the road.”