Next-Generation Response

Are you ready for electric ambulances? They’re coming and could be responding to a call near you before long.

In October 2021 Demers Ambulances unveiled the Demers eFX ambulance, an innovative all-electric and purpose-built ambulance. This new model, scheduled to be commercialized in the second half of 2022, was developed with the support of the government of Quebec and the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

The project is the result of nearly five years of collaborative work by Demers Ambulances and the Lion Electric Company, a manufacturer of all-electric medium- and heavy-duty urban vehicles, which also involved direct input from paramedic technicians and emergency medical service companies.

The new 100%-electric ambulance will be sold throughout North America and eventually worldwide, as ambulances sold by Demers and its affiliated brands are already in service in 43 countries. An exclusive mutual agreement between Lion and Demers contemplates the deployment of at least 1500 100%-electric ambulances over the next 5 years, according to a company release.

“Demand and interest have been incredible,” says Benoit Lafortune, executive vice president of Demers Braun Crestline Medix. “We will initially focus on the North American market. Demand is fairly steady across the board. We are seeing more prospects in the metropolitan centers of the United States, primarily in the West and Southeast. Those are traditionally our stronger market segments.”

Features include a 125-mile range on a single charge (this is dependent upon geography and other conditions) and 340-hp motor powered by an 800-volt battery pack, with fewer moving parts and less downtime for maintenance.

But make no mistake—the eFX has the soul of an ambulance and was designed according to the needs expressed by paramedics. “This is not a converted vehicle,” stresses Lafortune. “The eFX was designed as an ambulance first, from the ground up.”

As such, the purpose-built electric ambulance improves upon the ergonomics, safety, and efficiency of paramedics, in addition to improving their overall comfort and that of their patients. Features include a low floor design and 3.2-inch drop-suspension kneeling ability. Benefits include improved ergonomics in the patient compartment and innovative seating systems to allow better patient care without sacrificing comfort or safety, says Lafortune.

The ambulance will be equipped with a custom-designed chassis for use as an ambulance. With input from EMS providers, the Demers and Lion design teams completely redesigned the living space of the two sections of the vehicle and rethought the ergonomics and layout of the ambulance, Lafortune says.

Crew members seeing the inside of the vehicle for the first time are struck by its room—the absence of bulky machinery in the drivetrain makes for increased visibility and room to recline and maneuver about the compartment. “We started with a blank piece of paper and integrated the paramedic’s need for safety, ergonomics, and patient comfort,” Lafortune says.

The major question Lafortune confronts when discussing all-electric vehicles is what he calls “range anxiety”—the uncertainty of when and where the vehicle’s battery will run out. “We demonstrate with our simulator a range of at least 180 miles on a single charge,” he says—more than enough for many EMS systems during typical call volumes.

But what about the handling? “The first thing you realize is that the torque is impressive,” Lafortune says. “The vehicle decelerates quickly too. It’s very quiet. It’s a new feeling. People get accustomed to it quickly. When you’re operating an emergency vehicle, you want that responsiveness—that rapid reaction and handling.”

Another common question centers on cost. To be sure, up-front capital for an electric ambulance is often 2.5–3 times more than the initial outlay for a traditional vehicle. But with an 80% less cost per mile to operate, Demers offers a customer-specific cost analysis that takes a 10-year view and finds the vehicles more than cover that initial price tag during that time. Plus, government incentives and tax breaks to “go green” are making it easier for small and midsize EMS agencies to investigate the move to all-electric.

“With this project Demers Ambulances and Lion are demonstrating innovation and entrepreneurial boldness. This project not only creates good jobs and long-term prosperity but also positions Canada as a leader in electric transportation,” says François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science, and industry. The electrification of transportation is a major lever for achieving both our economic and climate goals. That’s why we are proud to support and accompany these innovative companies in this important stage of their growth.”

Hesitancy remains among the EMS industry at large. But as Lafortune explains it, the electric industry is where the gas-powered automotive industry was 100 years ago. As drivers become more familiar with the vehicles, technology evolves, and the charging infrastructure proliferates across the country, large gas-powered ambulances will soon become vestiges of a bygone era.

“People still think 2035 when they talk about zero emissions,” says Lafortune. “It sounds like a long way to go but it will be here before we know it.” 

Jonathan Bassett, MA, NREMT, is editorial director of EMS World. Reach him at jbassett@hmpglobal.com.