West Midlands Ambulance Service has launched the UK’s first all-electric emergency ambulance.
The lightweight design has a low centre of gravity and is powered by a 96kW battery pack which delivers a top speed of 75 mph and can achieve a range of 105-110 miles with a current recharge time of four hours.
Further developments to the vehicle will be introduced to increase its capability, including a two-hour charge time.
The first crew to try out the new electric vehicle were emergency medical technician Abbie Whitehouse-Marks and paramedic Hardip Brar.
Both said it took hardly any time at all before they felt at home in the new vehicle.
The e-Ambulance is part of a trial project with the aim of ultimately having a fleet of zero emission ambulances.
The ambulance service said it reflects emergency services operators’ commitment to bringing the sector in line with the global demand for zero emission transport.
The first zero emissions e-Ambulance to be used on UK roads has been developed in partnership with conversion specialist, VCS of Bradford.
VCS utilised the expert capabilities available within its parent company, Woodall Nicholson Group, to develop the EV powertrain technology.
It sees the vehicle powered by lithium-ion batteries sited in the underside of the ambulance floor pan.
West Midlands Ambulance Service chief executive Anthony Marsh said: “West Midlands Ambulance Service has been at the forefront of developing ambulance technology and operating a modern fleet for the last ten years.
“Working with industry specialists like VCS, we have used aircraft style technology and design to create the most hi-tech and lightest ambulances in the country."
Mr Marsh added: “This has continually reduced our impact on the environment by lowering our CO2 levels and ensured that patients receive the highest standards of safety and comfort.
“It is therefore a logical next step for us to be the first ambulance service in our country to introduce a fully electric emergency ambulance. Given Birmingham is introducing a clean air zone, this is a sensible and advantageous step forward for so many reasons.”
Mark Kerrigan, managing director at VCS, said: “As the world moves away from fossil fuels and towards a zero-carbon future, it’s important that the emergency services sector keeps pace. VCS has always been at the forefront of emergency service vehicle innovation, so we saw it as our duty to bring the pioneering electric ambulance to market.
“The vehicle launched today is a strong first step on the path to electrification and we’re confident that by working with outstanding operators, such as West Midlands Ambulance Service, we can continue to innovate and improve our zero emissions offering.”
The new e-Ambulance includes a number of design elements and features that ensure it is as versatile and usable as possible.
Tony Page, the ambulance service’s general manager for fleet and facilities management, said: “The aerospace-type technology on board provides enhanced crash structures, which will improve safety while also enhancing the design of the saloon, which will benefit operational staff and patients alike.
The ambulance service’s director of strategic operations and digital integration Craig Cooke added: “This is a fully equipped ambulance that we want to use to test the technology and move us even further down the path of reducing our impact on the environment.
“This is a huge step forward for the ambulance service in this country and around the world, but because it is the first of its type we will be working with VCS to look at how we can make enhancements so that we can make future vehicles even better.”
