The UK looks set to deliver its first hydrogen ambulance.

Funded by the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV), this a project that has been led by ULEMCo who are specialists in hydrogen fuel in collaboration with the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS).

According to an article on The Engineer, the prototype ambulance is now heading towards the build stage after an agreement on the design had been reached. Aiming to be delivered by this autumn, the ambulance will feature a low-frame chassis and a hydrogen fuel cell range extender.

The design has been formulated with national ambulance specifications in mind, with the incorporation of a hydrogen system into the vehicle’s roof being one of the main design challenges.

“This project is a key part of our strategy for a zero emission fleet, to support the NHS aim to be the world’s first net zero national health service, and to meet or exceed the clean air requirements in London,” says Chris Rutherford, who is the head of Fleet Strategy & Transformation at LAS. 

With its experience in the practical uses of electric vehicles, Ocado will provide further help for the project, with Promech Technologies supplying its expertise in battery technology.