Automotive

Mobile healthcare provider welcomes first all-electric ambulance to its fleet

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The DocGo battery-electric ambulance is reported to be the first of its kind to be registered in the US
DocGo
The DocGo battery-electric ambulance is reported to be the first of its kind to be registered in the US
DocGo
The DocGo battery-electric ambulance is configured for up to 170 miles of per-charge range and an electronically-limited top speed of 65 mph
DocGo
The DocGo electric ambulance's 120-kWh battery pack can be topped up in 8.5 hours via Level 2 AC charging, or 2 hours with DC fast charging
DocGo
The DocGo electric ambulance is based on a Ford Transit T350 Type II chassis, converted to an electric drivetrain by Lightning eMotors and fitted out for use as an ambulance by Leader Emergency Vehicles
DocGo
The addition of an electric ambulance to DocGo's fleet signals the start of an initiative to have all its vehicles go electric by 2032
DocGo
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Last-mile mobile medical care provider DocGo has partnered with Lightning eMotors and Leader Emergency Vehicles to add an all-electric ambulance to its fleet in New York, kickstarting a green initiative that will see all of its vehicles go electric.

DocGo is a mobile healthcare and medical transportation provider that employs a team of more than 3,500 certified health professionals across 28 US states to deliver assistance wherever the need arises. The company already has several hybrid vehicles in its fleet, but has now officially kicked off its Zero Emission Initiative with the acquisition of a custom battery-electric ambulance.

The build began with a Ford Transit T350 Type II ambulance chassis that was converted to a battery-electric platform by Colorado's Lightning eMotors. The vehicle was reportedly treated to a 120-kWh battery pack for up to 170 miles of per-charge driving, with the setup supporting DC fast charging for a full charge in 2 hours, or 8.5 hours via a Level 2 AC charger. A 215-hp (160-kW) motor offers an electronically-limited top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h).

The addition of an electric ambulance to DocGo's fleet signals the start of an initiative to have all its vehicles go electric by 2032
DocGo

Meanwhile California's Leader took care of kitting the van out for patient transportation, adding things like overhead cab, side and back lighting, the siren, storage cabinets inside for medical supplies, crew seating and patient care equipment such as a stretcher, a wall-mounted aspirator and oxygen system. The REV Group company notes that the vehicle is "equipped with dual rear wheels, increased interior headroom to aid crews in loading and unloading their patient, as well as an extended body length to provide more workspace for patient care."

DocGo says that as well as not generating any tailpipe emissions, patient transportation costs could potentially go down thanks to the electric vehicle having lower maintenance needs and costing less to "fuel" than a standard gasoline ambulance.

The electric ambulance is reckoned to be the first of its kind to be registered in the US and signals the start of DocGo's mission to have an all-electric fleet by 2032.

Source: DocGo

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3 comments
paul314
How much power does it have to spare for equipment? Portable MRI?
Username
@paul314 Portable MRIs do not fit into an ambulance.
TomLeeM
I wonder how the use of the equipment onboard affects the range? I think their previous hybrid versions just make more sense.

Perhaps one day they will have a hydrogen fuel cell version? It refuels in about the same time a gas powered version. I think they hydrogen fuel cell is just as green.