The UK's first fully-electric emergency ambulance has been unveiled by West Midlands Ambulance Service. The e-ambulance was developed with vehicle conversion specialist VCS and uses zero-emission powertrain technology, powered by lithium-ion batteries installed underneath the floor of the ambulance.
In terms of performance, the e-ambulance can reach up to 75mph and has a charge range of 105-110 miles. Currently, its recharge time is around four hours, but the project team hope that further developments will enable them to increase the e-ambulances mile range and decrease charging time to around 2 hours.
Chief Executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service, Anthony Marsh, commented: ''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. This has continually reduced our impact on the environment by lowering our carbon dioxide 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.''
