In a bid to contribute to energy reductions and financial savings, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust is planning on introducing fuel cell technologies into the ambulances to cut down on their consumption.
The technology involved methanol fuel cells that will allow the medical equipment to be powered without the vehicle running. Alexis Keech (Environmental and Sustainability Manager for the NHS Trust) has commented on the technology:
For every time the engines are not placed on tick over for an hour, a gallon of fuel could be saved. We have rapid-response vehicles situated in strategic places around the region at certain times, which help us respond to Category A or life-threatening incidents within eight minutes".
The regional Trust have an area of over 6,000 square miles to cover with around 500 emergency vehicles and such implementation is expected to cause significant energy savings.
A trial will be taking place and if successful, all vehicles will have the technology implemented.
