EV ambulance starts in Hamilton

Hamilton’s new EV ambulance starts within 50km of the Waikato city this week on 12-hour day shifts and has a back-up although Hato Hone St John says the EV can handle the 180km average a shift (it has 250km range).

So says the Waikato Times, adding the EV ambulance is the first of its kind in Australasia as Hato Hone St John looks to reduce emissions and deliver care sustainably.

Tests suggest it’s “a lot more comfortable” for patients than current ambulances, says Hato Hone St John.

“We’re trying this one out just for our road staff to use and figure out what we need as a base limit to run an EV,” says St John emergency management advisor and driving instructor Dave Jones, reports the Waikato Times.

The custom-build EV ambulance took two years to plan, design and assemble, and was gifted by the ASB.

It was reported in EVs and Beyond in April.

Jones says about 12 front line staff have been trained regarding the EV ambulance and they’ll provide information so St John can see what’s needed.

The EV ambulance is based on a Ford Transit and built in Hamilton by Action Manufacturing.

It is based at the Hamilton Ambulance Station at 63 Seddon Road, Frankton, where two EV chargers are sited.