In a week when Bath & North East Somerset Council postponed plans to charge diesel-powered emergency vehicles to enter its clean-air zone following a public backlash, Ford has released a case-study showing the potential effectiveness of electric ambulances.
London Ambulance Service introduced Ford E-Transit electric ambulances onto its fleet in January 2024. The emergency vehicles, engineered with support from the Ford Pro Special Vehicles team, have since been providing the same 24-hour front-line response service as diesel-powered models.
The London Ambulance Service strategy of adopting electric vehicles in front-line roles is part of its Carbon Neutral Plan, which targets achieving net-zero direct emissions by 2040. According to the service an extra benefit has seen the Ford E-Transit electric ambulances deliver a fuel cost saving of almost 75% when compared with diesel-powered equivalents.
Traditional fears of range and charging issues associated with electric vehicles have apparently not affected the work of the ambulances. “I don’t think we’ve ever gone below 50% of battery, and that’s on a 12-hour shift,” commented London Ambulance Service paramedic Himnah Kibuka.
To mark a year since the introduction of the vehicles Ford Pro has released a new film following two back-to-back shifts by paramedics responding to emergencies across London.
The film shows a typical weekend workload through the crews’ eyes, using the electric E-Transit during 24 straight hours of lights-and-sirens work in one of Europe’s busiest cities.
Ford of Britain and Ireland Commercial Vehicles director Mandy Dean commented that Ford was proud to use its expertise in electric vehicles to support the life-saving work of the paramedics.
“It’s rewarding to see London Ambulance Service recognise the capability of electric ambulances and help prove that the driving range and versatility of electric vehicles means they can serve even in front-line emergency roles,” Dean added.
The film can be viewed here.
