If you’ve ever wondered which vans make the best ambulances, then let me explain.

At the top of the pyramid, the kings of the emergency medical jungle are coachbuilt Mercedes Sprinter conversions.

Amongst the lower orders, you may occasionally see ambulances based on the Renault Master, Iveco Daily, Volkswagen Crafter, Fiat Ducato, Citroen Relay and even the humble Ford Transit, but there’s no doubt who’s boss.

An example of the Sprinter’s supremacy in action is the latest order from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, which has just started taking delivery of a 147-ambulance order worth some £15m. All the new ambulances are based on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 519 CDI chassis, fitted with purpose-designed box bodies by German specialist WAS.

At the beginning of this year, the Trust’s fleet contained 283 ambulances, of which 45 were non-Mercedes models. However, these outsiders are being systematically replaced as the fleet is renewed, and by the end of this year, every one of the newly-expanded fleet’s 310 emergency ambulances will be a Mercedes-Benz.

The Trust’s Head of Fleet, John Hole, explains why:

“The 5.0-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is well proven in operation and offers the combination of performance, reliability, safety and carrying capacity that allows us to provide a high-quality service to patients.”

The Trust’s latest Sprinters are powered by smooth and fuel-efficient 190 hp V6 common rail turbodiesel engines and additionally equipped with Telma electro-magnetic engine retarders to reduce wear and tear and enhance braking performance. Key to the model’s appeal for ambulance services nationwide is the availability of a fully automatic gearbox.

“This makes life a lot easier for our drivers, particularly when they’re on a ‘blue light’ call, as it leaves them free to concentrate fully on the road,” says Mr Hole.

Other optional features specified to ensure the Sprinters are ‘fit for purpose’ include air conditioning, adjustable steering wheels, an outside temperature gauge, halogen fog lamps, Comfort seats for driver and front-seat passenger, and an airbag for the passenger (the driver’s bag is standard).

The Sprinter’s well-known performance, durability and sophistication mean that it continues to be the preferred choice of courier fleets and other demanding van users — and it’s no surprise that the heavyweight 5t version continues to be the base vehicle of choice for amublance fleets.

I suspect that Ford’s new two-tonne Transit may edge into the emergency service market when it appears later this year, but its short history and lack of proven conversion options may work against it for the first year or two.