A pioneering solar-powered ambulance designed by student innovators in Eindhoven has proven a triumph during field tests, according to the team’s university. Unveiled last month, the vehicle underwent rigorous trials in a remote region of western Kenya in partnership with health charity Amref.
Dubbed Stella Juva, the vehicle functions as a fully equipped mobile clinic. Its medical suite includes a defibrillator for cardiac emergencies, an X-ray unit, an ultrasound scanner, and vaccine refrigeration. Solar Team Eindhoven calculated that the entire suite uses less power than the rooftop solar array generates, demonstrating that the vehicle can operate completely off-grid without reliance on the electricity grid or fuel. The developers estimate the unit can treat roughly 200 patients over a two-day period.
Beyond powering its medical equipment, the roof-mounted panels drive the vehicle itself, providing zero-emissions transport. The team reports that under clear skies and on paved roads, the ambulance boasts an impressive range of up to 715 kilometres.
Solar Team Eindhoven is no stranger to pushing the limits of clean technology, having previously competed in the World Solar Challenge—a 3,000-kilometre trek across the Australian Outback—as well as completing a 1,000-kilometre journey through Morocco and the Sahara in an earlier solar vehicle.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
