Japan gets its first EV ambulance

Japan’s first Nissan NV400 zero emission (EV) ambulance will be added to the Tokyo Fire Department fleet.

The addition at the Ikebukuro branch has resulted from collaboration among Nissan, the Tokyo Fire Department and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

“This project is another great example of our efforts to enhance accessibility of eco-friendly vehicles to local communities,” Nissan chief operations officer Ashwani Gupta says.

It’s part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s ‘Zero Emission Tokyo’ initiative.

The Nissan EV ambulance also has an electric stretcher to make it easier for ambulance staff.

The van’s EV powertrain means noise and vibration levels are significantly lower compared with a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, helping reduce negative impacts on patients as well as on staff handling sensitive equipment.

Two lithium-ion battery packs (33kWh) support its EV capabilities with an additional 8kWh battery allowing longer use of electrical equipment and the air-conditioning system.

The ambulance can be used as a mobile power source in the event of a power cut or natural disaster.

It’s also cost effective for charging and maintenance.

The bodywork done by Autoworks Kyoto complies with Japanese regulations and is designed to meet customer needs. The ambulance package was developed by Gruau, a major European emergency vehicle bodywork company.

The EV ambulance weighs about 3.5 tonnes and carries up to seven crew and passengers, producing 55kW of power and 220Nm of torque.

It has Type 2 AC charging capability.