Hydrogen ambulance set for London

Named ZERRO (Zero Emission Rapid Response Operations), the project is funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). ULEMCo is collaborating with the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS) and several manufacturing partners. With a design now agreed, the team is progressing to the build stage and expects to deliver a prototype for LAS by autumn.

The ambulance will incorporate a hydrogen fuel cell range extender with an electric drive, low-frame chassis and bespoke ambulance body designed and manufactured by Woodall Nicholson Group's Mellor, VCS Limited and Promech Technologies. Lyra Electronics will bring specialist DC-DC electronics capability, and Ocado will bring experience of light-weighting and practical use of electric vehicles.

Working in line with CEN (the EU standard for ambulances), and national ambulance specifications, the team was required to overcome several design challenges such as ensuring there was enough internal space to allow for upright standing, building the hydrogen system into the roof of the vehicle, and implementing a low-access floor removing the need for patient lifting equipment.