Frankfurt’s cargo trams deliver Amazon parcels in green logistics trial

A quiet revolution is rolling through Frankfurt’s streets. Could trams replace delivery vans—and make cities cleaner in the process?

, and Administrator

2026 January 17 . 5:16 PM

1 min read

The image shows a bar chart depicting the United States trade of passenger cars. The chart is... — The image shows a bar chart depicting the United States trade of passenger cars. The chart is composed of several bars of varying heights, each representing a different trade period. The text at the top of the chart reads "United States Trade of Passenger Cars".

Frankfurt’s cargo trams deliver Amazon parcels in green logistics trial

A pilot scheme in Frankfurt has successfully tested trams for transporting online retail packages. Instead of carrying passengers, a public transport tram shuttled Amazon shipments from Stadion station to the city centre. The trial aimed to cut traffic and reduce emissions while improving delivery efficiency.

The project, named Last-Mile Tram, began moving packages in early tests. An electric van first transported goods from a distribution hub in Raunheim to Stadion station. From there, the tram took over, delivering shipments to the downtown area without any passengers on board.

For the final leg, employees of an Amazon delivery partner used electric cargo bikes to distribute parcels within the city centre. Early figures suggest tram transport is cheaper than traditional delivery methods. The initiative also eased urban congestion and significantly lowered CO₂ emissions during the trial.

Funded with €500,000 by the state of Hesse since 2018, the project follows a similar but unsuccessful trial in Schwerin. There, officials concluded that large-scale tram-based deliveries were ‘not currently feasible’. Frankfurt’s results, however, appear more promising. A final evaluation, including detailed cost analyses, is expected by the end of the year.

The success of Frankfurt’s cargo tram trial could pave the way for adoption in other cities. If the final assessment confirms its benefits, the model may offer a sustainable alternative for urban deliveries. The project’s findings will be released once the full review is complete.