Yorkshire Ambulance Service unveils new eco-friendly vehicles

As part of Yorkshire Ambulance Service’s continuing efforts to tackle climate change and progress towards net zero, the Trust now has 35 fully electric non-emergency Patient Transport Service (E-PTS) vehicles in service and has ordered 73 new emergency ambulances that incorporate ECOAir.

With Northern Greener Week taking place between 2 and 6 June, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) is taking the opportunity to showcase some of the work taking place to help deliver a greener NHS.

Currently, an emergency ambulance requires the vehicle’s engine to be running for the air conditioning in the rear to operate. To provide a solution, O&H Vehicle Conversions based in Goole has developed ECOAir – a compact, lithium-ion battery powered, standalone unit that provides air conditioning for up to 4.5 hours with the engine off, producing zero tailpipe emissions.

As well as providing a clean air solution to run the vehicle’s air conditioning and reducing fuel consumption, ECOAir also addresses other challenges associated with engine idling, including engine coking and ultimately engine failure; increased engine wear through engine oil dilution; and vehicle fire risk.

YAS, working in partnership with O&H, has added 35 fully electric non-emergency Patient Transport Service (E-PTS) vehicles to its fleet, believed to be the UK’s largest fleet to date.

The E-PTS vehicles provide a full day of operational service with 130 miles range from a single charge. When charging is necessary, the Ford E-Transit platform supports DC fast charging, allowing the batteries to charge from 10% to 80% in just 37 minutes. Integrated high-voltage solar panels can also be used to provide a continuous charge to the auxiliary batteries. This feature not only enhances energy efficiency but also significantly reduces the time required to charge the auxiliary batteries.

O&H has also incorporated advanced, energy-efficient technologies such as a redesigned heating system for the rear of the vehicle. This heats only the individual and their immediate surroundings, improving heating efficiency by up to 60% compared to traditional convection.

Jeff Gott, Head of Fleet Services at YAS, said: “Decarbonising our fleet is a priority for the Trust in the coming years. The new E-PTS vehicles are a step in the right direction, to help us meet the ambitious goal of all new ambulances having zero carbon emissions by 2030. The introduction of 73 new emergency ambulances with ECOAir is also an innovative step towards supporting Net Zero.”

Mark Brickhill, Managing Director at O&H, said: “O&H is proud to be working with Yorkshire Ambulance Service and supporting the NHS Net Zero Travel and Transport Strategy and its ambitious goal of all new ambulances having zero carbon emissions by 2030, in just five years’ time.”