Bavaria has had its first fully electric ambulance in operation since Friday. “Lead the way with innovative ideas and new technology – that is also the motto in the emergency services,” said Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) when handing over the car on Friday in Erlangen.
The electric drive of the emergency vehicle is to be tested in a model test and experience in real operation is to be gained. E-vehicles in emergency services face special challenges, explained Herrmann. “As part of critical infrastructure and public services, they must meet strict requirements and prove themselves in everyday use.”
In addition to sufficient range, this also includes complete medical equipment. The experience gained will be used in the further development of electromobile concepts in emergency rescue. Bavaria is one of the few federal states in which a central office procures the vehicles, including the rescue material and transport equipment, for all emergency services.
In total, there is a fleet of more than 1,600 uniform and standardized ambulances, ambulances and emergency medical vehicles in the Free State. The procurement office is located at the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK), whose district associations will now test the new electric ambulance in the more urban Erlangen-Höchstadt region and the more rural Rhön-Grabfeld region for at least two years.
The helpers are confronted with several problems with electromobility: On the one hand, the pure electric drive is currently not suitable for emergency vehicles because charging times are not guaranteed and the required range cannot be planned. The e-ambulance also causes problems with the roster, as BRK state manager Elke Frank explained. Because of the batteries, it exceeds the maximum permissible weight that can be driven with a class B car driving license. But only a few drivers have a C1 driving license for light commercial vehicles. In addition, there is still no comprehensive charging infrastructure, not even at rescue stations, hospitals or nursing homes.