The future is here

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

Two Quebec companies unveil new all-electric ambulances

Two Quebec companies unveiled their first 100 per cent electric ambulance on Monday. With financial support from the federal and provincial governments, Lion Electric and Demers Ambulances worked together for the past five years to develop the Demers eFX ambulance.

montreal.ctvnews.ca

 

[Rick Franklin]

Two Quebec companies unveil new all-electric ambulances

Two Quebec companies unveiled their first 100 per cent electric ambulance on Monday. With financial support from the federal and provincial governments, Lion Electric and Demers Ambulances worked together for the past five years to develop the Demers eFX ambulance.

montreal.ctvnews.ca

I wonder what kind of range it will have before needing recharging

 

[John ED Renstrom]

Now it is a selfcontained box like the plant we toured in texas with its owen power plant i might ride in it. But my bets on it not being practical for winter use. Especially for out of town transfers.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

I wonder what kind of range it will have before needing recharging

In my opinion, that's going to be the big limiting factor on the use of electric ambulances. Until the technology allows for long-distance / long hours of operation without recharging stations the only practical use will be in the urban setting.

 

[Ken R Jones]

It will only go 125 miles on a charge. In my sales area (Adirondacks NY & Vermont) I don't see it working very well. More for large cities.

 

[Paul Steinberg]

 

[Walter Suiter]

Please press 7 if you're a Greenie who wants an electric Ambulance so scheduling can get you on the charging rotation.

At least Quebec still has "hydro" to recharge with, unlike Califooledya.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

Update...

Quebec's first electric ambulances to make their debut in Montreal, Laval in 2023

Quebec's health ministry says Montreal and Laval will be the first cities in the province to get fully electric ambulances that are expected to hit the streets sometime next year.

montreal.ctvnews.ca

 

[Abe Bush]

I hate to say it, but I am of the persuasion that electric cars are actually coal burning cars, because they take so much electric charging from the local power company. I'm curious how much time and electricity it actually costs to charge up one of these little toy like cars from dead to fully charged, and at what speeds from full charge to dead batteries running all necessary equipment.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

I hate to say it, but I am of the persuasion that electric cars are actually coal burning cars, because they take so much electric charging from the local power company. I'm curious how much time and electricity it actually costs to charge up one of these little toy like cars from dead to fully charged, and at what speeds from full charge to dead batteries running all necessary equipment.

It will be interesting to see the results of using these vehicles, especially during the winter.

In regards to the comment about coal, there are no power plants using coal in Québec. Over 95% of their power is produced from hydroelectric stations. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_generating_stations_in_Quebec#Fossil_fuel).

 

[John ED Renstrom]

But the way it's going now, the crew will need a fire escape plan and tire drill training.

 

[Kerry Lange]

With a price tag of $500,000 each, I doubt that there's going to be a huge market for these, considering most EMS services are cash strapped or just plain cheap. With that being said, I have no idea what a typical gas powered modular ambulance sells for these days.

 

[Tim Prieur]

I echo J-M's thought. I hope they plan to use them as transfer cars. The average vehicle here in emergency service heads out at start of shift, and rarely sees the home station again until it comes off shift, traveling many miles. Add to that -25 degrees temp. and slippery winter roads, and the charge will not last a single shift.

 

[Philip Scanio]

Maybe they will market to Texas. Just announced that $ 408,000,000 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act will be used to build charging stations every 50 miles. We have pump jacks idle because of no pipeline capacity and went days without power in 2021 because of power grid problems. Forest, stupid is as stupid does!

 

[Ken R Jones]

The real issue is that the Demers EFX can only travel 125 miles on a charge. If using critical care equipment like IV pumps and a respirator it may even be less not sure yet as they are still doing some testing.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

I assume that they will be used for urban work due to the limited range. It will be interesting to see what the plan will be for the location of the charging stations and the type of charging stations, i.e. plugin or induction.

 

[Mike Boyer]

I wonder how long it will be before we see electric or at least hybrid funeral coaches ??