Amazon plans to challenge the Royal Mail by introducing foot delivery services for parcels.

Amazon is set to take on Royal Mail as it launches deliveries on foot as part of a package of measures to reduce emissions amid the climate crisis.

Employees across central London will now take to the streets with carts filled with packages instead of driving from house to house, the firm said.

The trial program is being conducted in Hackney, Westminster, and Islington, allowing employees to replenish their carts using vans stocked with supplies throughout the city.

This initiative is one of many steps taken by Amazon to reduce delivery emissions, following the company's commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2040.

Amazon assures that the new plans will not hinder or postpone deliveries, including those of Prime packages.

The company is additionally increasing its collection of electric vehicles and, for the first time, is utilizing electric rail services.

However, this indicates that Royal Mail won't be the sole delivery carts making their rounds to British households and traversing its postal paths.

Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director, Policy, Logistics UK, said: 'Decarbonisation is one of the biggest challenges facing the logistics industry, as businesses seek to match the need to move away from a reliance on fossil fuels with pressures from customers to maximise delivery efficiency.

At present, nearly 90 percent of freight transport in the UK relies on roadways, making it crucial for the industry to explore vehicles powered by alternative fuels and to transition to various modes of transport to meet growing demand. 

"The announcement made by Amazon today highlights the industry's readiness to adapt and its dedication to minimizing total emissions." 

As well as walking deliveries, Amazon says more than 140 new electric Mercedes-Benz Truck eActros 600 trucks and eight Volvo FM Battery Electric trucks are joining Amazon's transportation network over the next 18 months, replacing traditional fuel-driven vehicles.

The company stated that this represents the largest order of eHGVs in the UK to date, significantly expanding the fleet from its existing nine vehicles.

As a component of the initiative, Amazon plans to set up extra fast charging stations at important locations throughout the UK, with the vehicles anticipated to distribute approximately 300 million parcels annually once they are fully operational.

In today's announcement, Amazon has introduced rail deliveries that utilize the UK's electric network, aiming to reduce reliance on road transportation.

It is projected that 20 mi