Solar Powered Ambulance
2GreenEnergy associate Gary Tulie sent me this piece on a light, three-wheeled solar PV-powered ambulance, largely for use in third-world countries like Bangladesh. It’s a cool idea, and the writing is incredible. I love the first paragraph, comparing high-end Teslas to flashy jewelry, while pointing out that this ambulance is about life and death; it’s almost poetry.
We’ve come to think of solar powered EVs (that are bigger than bicycles) as figments of the imagination, because we’re used to considering driving conditions in the developed world: heavy, high-speed vehicles with hundreds of miles of range. Here you have a light, low-speed vehicle with a 30-mile range; that’s all that’s required to save a significant number of lives.
When I asked Gary how this product can get through crowded, narrow streets better than conventional ambulances, he responded: I would estimate that it is barely over a metre wide, (think tuk tuk) whereas a conventional ambulance would be over 2 meters wide.
I’m sure that’s true. Great advancement.
Cute, but unlikely to be practical.
In the US we have a certain perspective. I doubt that such a vehicle would “save lives” in many places in the US with either crowded streets (cities) or long distances between services (suburbia and rural areas.) But our home is not the only place on the planet and there are places that are built and connected in very different ways. In such places pedi-vehicles and motorcycles are the majority of vehicles with 4 wheeled cars and trucks the exception. A vehicles like this could have a place there.
However, it is a shame that cheap construction is too often an excuse for cheap and thoughtless design. Painting a sign on a box squished on to the back of a bicycle with a solar panel on top seems more like a cobbled together set of systems rather than a design concept.
The electric portion of this vehicle is for “electric assist” in a hybrid electric/human power format. The solar panel is not large enough to more than partially charge a battery. This is helpful in such an environment when the vehicle may be standing around more than operating. And it will help to offset the massive weight additions from the beefed up frame, the heavy box and the solar system. The solar system will be more efficient off the vehicle at a charging station lightening the load and in the article there are plans for such charging stations in addition to this rooftop load.
The box on the back doesn’t look much bigger than what would accommodate a chair. The solid sheet metal sides with many windows is going to be heavy. The frame is given some double struts and double wheels to handle the load. A combined frame and fabric structure would be lighter, cooler, quieter and likely more aerodynamic. If the electrical assist system ever failed the driver might be another victim due to heart attack or heat exhaustion.
Having the box smack against the driver seat is not going to make operating the vehicle easy. But I suppose labor is cheaper than design.
So while a solar electric set – up looks “cool” and might be likely to receive donations, this example seems to be a horrible design that presents as many problems as it attempts to solve.
Breath,
I must say I’m impressed by your analysis of this weird little vehicle.
It’s taking stupidity to a whole new level.
Not only is the design appalling, the premise is silly. A four wheel drive vehicle can handle poor road better than a rickshaw ! The small Suzuki made in India is no larger.
For that matter, Bangladesh manufactures a small add-on bicycle engine from an ancient British design, for a purchase price of only a few dollars,even cheaper second hand. Millions of these are sold each year
The price is certainly cheaper than a solar panel. Emergency vehicles pay no fuel tax, so the cost of operating such a vehicle would be infinitesimal, while the speed and practicality would easily outweigh any environmental concerns.
Marco, I did try to make a distinction between the design and the concept.
I don’t disagree with the concept of a cheap, light, electric hybrid, utility vehicle. There are lots of ways to approach design. You can ask “what do we have,” and “What do we need,” but a design like this seems to stop at only one level of inquiry. A more refined design is going to then ask “What is the problem with this and what are the potential solutions.” …and again perhaps several times.
I don’t believe the bicycle motor you suggest would have the necessary torque to handle this load and there is the fuel issue (see below.) Although a 4 wheel drive would be more useful it would also be far more expensive meaning that fewer could be purchased/made on a budget.
From the article, I don’t think that the cost of fuel may be as much of a problem as its general availability, which turned them to a solar solution. I wonder if just a second operator might be better (a tandem bike.) You could still add an electric assist but might not be entirely dependent upon it. But a lighter better design would be best.
Actually, I see no need for a solar powered ambulance. It would cost more than an engine-powered ambulance and have less power.
Probably there is a need for small light ambulances which could traverse very narrow unpaved roads in developing countries. Such an ambulance could most practically be powered by a very small engine, perhaps less than 20 hp, since it would be used in areas where the speed would at times be little greater than a walking speed. Probably it should have four wheels since a four wheeled vehicle is more stable and would be less likely to overturn when traversing areas slanting greatly to the side. A low CG would add to stability. Also, roads tend to be smoother on the edges than in the middle so a vehicle with three wheels could have problems because a wheel in the center of the road could be running in loose dirt.
Light weight would be helpful because becoming stuck would be inevitable. I light vehicle could more easily be pushed out of the mud.
Frank, I think if you check the article you will find that solar was considered because obtaining fuel was problematic.
I took that to mean it was unavailable but it is equally likely that while funding might be secured to obtain the vehicles funding to keep them operating is less likely. In which case, the project would lean toward a higher capitalization cost and a lower maintenance/operating cost.
Breath,
It seems that just about everywhere in poor developing countries there are a few people who have motorcycles. Therefore, I would find it surprising if the modest fuel requirements for a small lightweight ambulance could not be met.
Presumably the ambulance would take patients to health centers. Ordinarily those health centers have generators and therefore would be expected to have enough fuel for ambulances especially considering the very high fuel efficiency of those tiny ambulances.
Your assumption may be correct. Perhaps I misunderstood the article. It has been some time since I traveled on an old rented, motorcycle to rural villages in the third world and felt awkward at the symbol of vast wealth I was riding.
Breath,
I lived in Fiji from 1994 to 2004. Partly because I didn’t want to appear wealthy, I had a used Toyota station wagon. I agree that it is inappropriate to appear wealthy when there are many poor people around. On the other hand, His Lordship, the Mayor of Suva, the capital, thought that his official car should be better than a Toyota Camry. The prime minister’s cabinet members rode around in expensive chauffeur-driven SUVs. I saw that is inappropriate.
Frank what I did, or someone else does or you may have done is not the point.