In 2016, Lion Electric and Demers Ambulance joined forces to completely reimagine what the ambulance of the future will look like, and now, finally, we are getting a glimpse at the ambitious project. Five years after the start of their collaboration, the all-electric eFX ambulance is officially going into production.
This is the world’s first 100 per cent electric Type III ambulance, and the vehicle promises to be 20 per cent roomier than that of traditional ambulances. The electric ambulances will also offer notably improved life expectancy (at least 10 years) when compared with their traditional diesel counterparts. Moreover, the the Demers eFX Ambulance is reportedly 80-to-90 per cent less expensive to operate per kilometre than traditional Type III ambulances.
eFx ambulance by Demers Ambulance and Lion Electric
Lion Electric and Demers Ambulance are showcasing their purpose-built, all-electric eFX ambulance, after a five year collaboration to bring the vehicle to production. The chassis of the vehicles are custom-made and will be built at an assembly plant in Saint-Jérôme, Québéc, while the final assembly will be done in Beloeil, QC. The ambulances are expected to be in service by fall of next year.
Lion Electric’s Eclipse battery packs will also be incorporated into the eFX vehicles. According to the release, the batteries will have a capacity of 130 to 195 kWh and the ambulances will have a range of 200 km on a single charge.
“This is a great day for Demers Ambulances!,” said Alain Brunelle, CEO of Demers Ambulances in the release. “I would like to salute the leadership and genius of the Lion team and thank the Government of Quebec and NRC IRAP for their support from day one of this ambitious project.”
The ambulances are slated to be commercialized by the second half of 2022, at a price point of $500,000 per vehicle. Demers and Lion Electric hope to distribute 1,500 ambulances across North America before 2026.
