Japanese automotive manufacturer Nissan and the Tokyo Fire Department announced on Monday the addition of a new Nissan NV400 zero emission ambulance to the Ikebukuro fleet in Tokyo.
The introduction of the new Nissan NV400 Zero Emission (EV) Ambulance is a first for Japan and the first electric vehicle ambulance in the Tokyo Fire Department fleet – part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “Zero Emission Tokyo” initiative.
“Nissan strongly believes in sustainable mobility and strives to contribute to a world with zero emissions and zero fatalities,” said Ashwani Gupta, representative executive officer and chief operation officer at Nissan.
“This project is another great example of our efforts to enhance accessibility of eco-friendly vehicles to local communities.”
The Nissan EV ambulance brings with it a lot of added benefits, beyond the traditional benefits attached to electric vehicles.
Thanks to its EV powertrain, noise and vibration levels in the vehicle are significantly lower in comparison with traditional ambulances, helping reduce negative impact on transporting patience as well as on staff handling sensitive medical equipment.
The Nissan EV ambulance is also equipped with an electric stretcher providing easier operation for ambulance drivers.
The ambulance is equipped with two lithium-ion battery packs providing 33kWh and an additional 8kWh battery providing longer use for electric equipment and the vehicles’ air conditioning. Able to transport 7 crew and passengers, and boasting an electric motor with a maximum power output of 55kw, the ambulance can turn out 74 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque.
Amazingly, the Nissan EV ambulance can even turn itself into a mobile source of power in cases of a power outage or natural disaster.
In addition to its lower environmental impact, cost-efficient running due to its cost-of-charging and maintenance, and the tangential benefits listed above, it will only be a matter of time before we start seeing more and more electric ambulances around.
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Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.