Inside the world’s first solar ambulance transforming remote healthcare even when the sun goes down

Solar ambulance Stella Juva could transform access to healthcare in regions that lack reliable infrastructure, electricity and fuel. The world’s first solar-powered ambulance has officially taken to the road, in what has been described as an “important first step towards the future of sustainable healthcare”. Students from Solar Team Eindhoven at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands have developed Stella Juva – a road-legal ambulance that operates as an electric vehicle (EV) powered by fully integrated solar panels. Energy generated from the sun is stored in a 50 kWh battery, allowing the ambulance to safely keep driving and deliver healthcare in remote areas – which often lack reliable infrastructure, electricity and fuel options – even when the sun has gone down. Unlike traditional ambulances that pick patients up and transport them to a hospital, Stella Juva brings healthcare directly to people in need. “When a healthcare professional arrives at a dispensary, they are able to extend solar panels from the side of the ambulance,” Yarno Basten of Solar Team Eindhoven tells Euronews Earth. “This helps generate extra energy and provide shade for delivering healthcare. While stationary, the ambulance generates more solar energy than the medical equipment uses. This means that healthcare workers can keep using medical equipment at all times.” World’s first solar ambulance takes to the road During its first practical test, in collaboration with the international health organisation Amref Health Africa, Sella Juva covered more than 800km driving around various field locations in the Narok region of Kenya. At one point, the team spent six hours travelling on challenging roads to reach a remote field location in Mosiro. “During the end challenge in Kenya, the solar ambulance tackled rough off-road terrain,” Basten says. “During this off-roading, the toelink broke down, which connects the front wheels to the steering mechanism. “Luckily, this part was designed as the first part to break. Within just half an hour, the team was able to exchange it with a new piece, so that Stella Juva was able to finish her journey.” An ‘energy independent’ ambulance Stella Juva is equipped with medical equipment that is urgently needed by health organisations in remote locations, such as an X-ray machine, ultrasound, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and cooling equipment for vaccines. During a two-day test, the solar ambulance proved that it could have provided medical care to approximately 200 people. While stationary, Stella Juva generated more solar energy than it consumed while using all of the medical equipment simultaneously. Researchers say that this shows the ambulance can operate in an “energy independent manner”, allowing healthcare workers to keep using medical equipment at all times. “It is really great for the team to see the potential of Stella Juva in practice,” says team manager Mathijs van Gerven. “Not only to drive sustainably, but also to be able to provide fully independent care. Especially in remote areas where energy is often scarce, this can make all the difference.” ‘The potential impact could be enormous’ “In Narok, long distances and unreliable electricity still make quality healthcare difficult to access,” says Geoffrey Sadera, a project lead of maternal and child health at Amref Health Africa. “Stella Juva can bring not only health workers to remote communities, but also the power and medical equipment needed to examine and diagnose people on the spot.” For example, during a single outreach, Stella Juva could provide an ultrasound scan for up to 40 pregnant women. This could be a literal life-saver in Narok and nearby counties, which face high levels of maternal and child mortality. “If we could deploy Stella Juva in these areas, the potential impact could be enormous: we could identify risks earlier, intervene sooner and ultimately save lives,” Sadera says. Following the successful test, the research team hopes that its impressive results will inspire companies, social organisations and governments to tackle societal challenges. It says they are open to parties who want to explore scaling up the invention.