Gas, Diesel, or Hybrid Fueled Ambulance?

[JakeEMTP]

Our ambulances are all Ford E-450 chassis with a Wheeled Coach box. All are diesel powered.

The hospital based transport and MICUs are all Bio-Diesel powered. I'm not sure how that is working out for them as it is relatively new ( for them ). Come to think of it, all their buses and trucks run on Bio-Diesel also.

I haven't heard of true Hybrid ambulance. There is very little storage now and I wonder how long a charge would last as much power as we use.

[firespec35]

I'm pretty sure Law for the US says all new ambulances have to be diesel powered. That being said I used to work in a couple of OLD type 2 & 1 gas rigs. I loved them. But what's not to love about a 454 chevy engine and a .410 rear end. They were on their last legs when I worked on them but it was fun while it lasted. I'd love to find another one and turn it into a parade truck. The old trucks were just more comfortable.

BTW A hybrid Type II is technically possible Now that Chevy has the hybrid tahoe. They could work it into a van chassis and go from there. It would be interesting to see if a hybrid's 12 v system could keep up with an ambulance's increased electrical demands.

[spenac]

I'm pretty sure Law for the US says all new ambulances have to be diesel powered. .

Hope not because then I know some law breakers with brand new gas ambulances. Can you site where that law is with a link please.

[Richard B the EMT]

I don't think there is any law about all ambulances in the US needing to be diesel powered. What I do remember is, Ford became the first truck engine and chassis manufacturer to get some kind of acceptance of design, as previous designs allowed antifreeze boil-over to land on the exhaust lines.

Correct me if I am wrong (a rare thing, but it happens sometimes), but isn't alcohol a part of antifreeze? After the water boiled away on the exhaust lines, the alcohol would burn, the engine would follow, and there's a couple of videos at the network news of ambulances pulling over to the side of the road, and the crews jumping out with the patient on the strech. Did I mention this was in the middle of the New York state Thruway?

This was due to something in gas engine ambulance construction, alleviated by the switch to diesel.