One of WMAS’s new Fiat Ducato Maxi ambulances
Ambulances need a lot of electricity: indeed, with the latest models carrying approximately one mile of electrical wiring and an extensive range of extra electrical equipment, it has long been standard practice to fit uprated alternators to ambulances. This ensures that the electrical load can be met at all times and that battery charge is maintained at healthy levels.
However, alternators don’t magic electricity out of thin air — they are engine-driven, and extra electrical load means extra fuel consumption, especially when idling or running at low speeds.
To try and address this problem and reduce both the carbon footprint and the fuel bills generated by its ambulances, without sacrificing performance, the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is about to begin trialling solar panels on five of its newest vehicles.
The trial vehicles are part of a 101-vehicle order for new front-line ambulances, all of which will be based on the Fiat Ducator Maxi panel van, plated at 4,250kg gross vehicle weight.
Inside one of the new WMAS Fiat Ducato ambulances
Ambulances are fairly heavily loaded at all times, and the use of the Maxi chassis — which has uprated suspension and larger wheel sizes — will help provide a more robust and stable ambulance platform, without sacrificing the cost and maneuverability advantages offered by the choice of a panel van rather than box body.
The vans are long wheelbase, extra-high roof models powered by Fiat’s 3.0-litre 180bhp diesel engine, and have air suspension fitted to further aid ride stability under emergency conditions.
WMAS has been operating the FIAT Ducato in front line ambulance operation for a number of years and by the time the last of the 101 new units are delivered, two thirds of its entire ambulance fleet (240 of 360 vehicles) will be Fiat Ducato based.
According to Tony Page, General Manager Fleet Services with West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust:
“The Ducato provides the Trust with a platform to build a front line ambulance that provides a good working space for our clinical colleagues to deliver a high level of patient care, the 3.0 diesel engine is more than capable of getting the vehicle and crew to serious incidents in a timely manner, good dealer support and fuel economy are also an important aspect of the FIAT Ducato’s offering.
Early signs with the first 40 units of the latest model Ducato in operation are they are step change improvement for us, feedback from our crews so far has been very positive.”
The choice of the Ducato Maxi is an interesting variation from the more commonly specified 5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter box body ambulance conversion preferred by many ambulance services — almost without a doubt the Ducato panel van is far cheaper option, so it will be interesting to see how much of a foothold it gains elsewhere in the UK.