Discussion
West Midlands Ambulance Service get 1st all electric ambulance https://wmas.nhs.uk/2020/10/01/wmas-launches-the-f...
Scrump said:
About a 100 mile range. Should be okay if there are charge points at A&E but could be an issue if they have a few back to back calls.
Interesting to see how rapidly EVs are being adopted for uses other than personal cars.
It does not seem to have rapid charging but they mention in the article it's coming and will be 2 hours to charge, which isn't very rapid.Interesting to see how rapidly EVs are being adopted for uses other than personal cars.
You can buy off the shelf electric vans like this from China with real rapid charging but instead they seem to have converted it themselves... weird.
Perhaps it's just an experiment.
96kWh battery pack (I'm guessing total rather than usable) charging in 4 hours would mean 22kW AC charging, which makes sense - easier and cheaper to install multiples of those chargers at hospitals and ambulance stations than DC rapids.
Don't think anyone's doing a base van that size with a battery that big just yet, will be something custom. Good to see a converter and ambulance service keen to try this out ahead of that though.
Don't think anyone's doing a base van that size with a battery that big just yet, will be something custom. Good to see a converter and ambulance service keen to try this out ahead of that though.
sjg said:
96kWh battery pack (I'm guessing total rather than usable) charging in 4 hours would mean 22kW AC charging, which makes sense - easier and cheaper to install multiples of those chargers at hospitals and ambulance stations than DC rapids.
Don't think anyone's doing a base van that size with a battery that big just yet, will be something custom. Good to see a converter and ambulance service keen to try this out ahead of that though.
WMAS do give the impression that they like to keep their fleet up to date.Don't think anyone's doing a base van that size with a battery that big just yet, will be something custom. Good to see a converter and ambulance service keen to try this out ahead of that though.
It will be interesting to see how this trial works.
I'm sure they have worked out how range will be affected if the vehicle sat outside a call keeping everything ticking over.
Shaw Tarse said:
I'm sure they have worked out how range will be affected if the vehicle sat outside a call keeping everything ticking over.
You're probably right; out of interest, I googled what the power draw is for an ambulance, and there's an NHS specification including a 200A alternator and an 1800W inverter. To me, that indicates an Ambo can consume 2kW peak in full life-saving mode... Given the battery size it's probably not a concern even for extended use.
Having watched the excellent BBC program they appear to be constantly out on the road and often go from one job to another so when they can fit in significant charging I don't know. Can't really ask the patient if it's a residence can they plug in...
Prised assets which are constantly out life saving night and day.
Prised assets which are constantly out life saving night and day.
donkmeister said:
You're probably right; out of interest, I googled what the power draw is for an ambulance, and there's an NHS specification including a 200A alternator and an 1800W inverter.
To me, that indicates an Ambo can consume 2kW peak in full life-saving mode... Given the battery size it's probably not a concern even for extended use.
To me, that indicates an Ambo can consume 2kW peak in full life-saving mode... Given the battery size it's probably not a concern even for extended use.
Frimley111R said:
100 mile range is probably fine, most will be serving the local community and so not be doing any long runs. There's a big e-van courier company in London who only use EVs and they said their typical local run is 25 miles a day.
I think that the anticipated range for "this" ambulance is 85 miles per day, all short journeys?If this works, this could be really good!
Drop chargers into locations where they hold them (central base, hospitals etc) so they can keep charged - but with reduced maintenance and down-time as well as reduced breakdowns has got to be a good thing! Running costs should be lower over time too! Thought will have to factor in range etc - I would imagine that the vast majority of trips are in range with ease - but its that last 5% where someone needs emergency transport to a specialist hospital somewhere else - and how do they cover this? Or people who live at the edge of the service range? I hope someone doesnt forget these edge cases.
Drop chargers into locations where they hold them (central base, hospitals etc) so they can keep charged - but with reduced maintenance and down-time as well as reduced breakdowns has got to be a good thing! Running costs should be lower over time too! Thought will have to factor in range etc - I would imagine that the vast majority of trips are in range with ease - but its that last 5% where someone needs emergency transport to a specialist hospital somewhere else - and how do they cover this? Or people who live at the edge of the service range? I hope someone doesnt forget these edge cases.
granada203028 said:
Having watched the excellent BBC program they appear to be constantly out on the road and often go from one job to another so when they can fit in significant charging I don't know. Can't really ask the patient if it's a residence can they plug in...
Prised assets which are constantly out life saving night and day.
The crews are out 24/7 but there always seems to be a vehicle parked up at the station, (think the term is being made ready?) Basically restocked & "washed"Prised assets which are constantly out life saving night and day.
granada203028 said:
Having watched the excellent BBC program they appear to be constantly out on the road and often go from one job to another so when they can fit in significant charging I don't know. Can't really ask the patient if it's a residence can they plug in...
Prised assets which are constantly out life saving night and day.
But think about the requirements for an ICE ambo.Prised assets which are constantly out life saving night and day.
Firstly the crew can't be on the go all day every day, and it will need proper cleaning periodically for medical reasons. Supplies will need regular restocking too. With an ICE the maintenance schedule will take it off the road regularly, obviously has to be kept at a high standard with regular inspections and services.
With an EV the maintenance will be reduced and charging can take place while the other stuff is being done.
aestetix1 said:
granada203028 said:
Having watched the excellent BBC program they appear to be constantly out on the road and often go from one job to another so when they can fit in significant charging I don't know. Can't really ask the patient if it's a residence can they plug in...
Prised assets which are constantly out life saving night and day.
But think about the requirements for an ICE ambo.Prised assets which are constantly out life saving night and day.
Firstly the crew can't be on the go all day every day, and it will need proper cleaning periodically for medical reasons. Supplies will need regular restocking too. With an ICE the maintenance schedule will take it off the road regularly, obviously has to be kept at a high standard with regular inspections and services.
With an EV the maintenance will be reduced and charging can take place while the other stuff is being done.
The "trucks" or "vans" (I've heard ambulance crews refer to them as this) do get some downtime to be cleaned
& from what I can see a crew starting a new shift will have a vehicle ready to go.Shaw Tarse said:
I think the crews are out most of the day.
The "trucks" or "vans" (I've heard ambulance crews refer to them as this) do get some downtime to be cleaned& from what I can see a crew starting a new shift will have a vehicle ready to go.
30mins rapid charging while it's cleaned should be good to go?The "trucks" or "vans" (I've heard ambulance crews refer to them as this) do get some downtime to be cleaned
& from what I can see a crew starting a new shift will have a vehicle ready to go.Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff