The UK’s leading ambulance conversion specialist, VCS, is to present its ‘zero emission ambulance’ to the world at COP26 in Glasgow, in partnership with the ZERRO (Zero Emission Rapid Response Operations ambulance) project, as well as NHS England and NHS Improvement.

The hydrogen fuel cell ambulance will be located in the Blue Zone, on display for COP26’S VIP visitors, including world leaders and senior politicians.

Business owners and media representatives from across the world will also be in attendance at the event, held between 31 October and 12 November. The aim of the conference includes securing net-zero global emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and keep warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

In line with COP26’s drive towards carbon neutrality, the development of the hydrogen fuel cell ambulance demonstrates the potential for emergency vehicle conversion and how zero emissions technology can be implemented.

Following the conference, NHS England and NHS Improvement will work with ambulance trusts to trial the ambulance across England and develop an operational plan to roll out zero emission ambulances throughout the NHS. 

ZERRO comprises a collaboration between Woodall Nicholson owned VCS and Promech Technologies, as well as project-lead and hydrogen fuel pioneer, ULEMco, and Lyra Electronics. Support was provided in funding from the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).

The Vehicle is made from VCS’s lightweight ‘Core Capture’ construction method, which retains vehicle efficiency whilst offering added strength. Visitors at COP26 will also see the quality of VCS’s low floor ambulance construction in collaboration with Promech.

Mark Kerrigan, Managing Director at VCS, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to present our hydrogen fuel cell ambulance at COP26. With the conference shaped around the need to push environmental change, I can think of no better opportunity to demonstrate VCS is working to make our products even more sustainable.”

John Randerson, Chief Technology Officer at Woodall Nicholson, said: “The ZERRO project is a great example of how our Woodall Nicholson brands, VCS and Promech, can collaborate to yield innovation. This is the country’s first hydrogen-powered low floor ambulance and we’re delighted it be able to show it to decision-makers not just in the UK, but across the world.”