- Mercedes-Benz presents its Van-solutions as a Europe-wide partner for the emergency services
- Sprinter ambulance and eVito Tourer as emergency medical vehicle
- Trade fair premiere for an eCitan for logistics use by fire department and rescue services
Mercedes-Benz is a long-standing, recognised and reliable partner of the emergency services. This was demonstrated not only recently at the twentieth anniversary of the standardized Ambulance for the Bavarian Red Cross, but also in the annual presence at the leading European trade fair for rescue and mobility RETTmobil. This year, it will take place from 10 to 12 May 2023 at the exhibition centre in Fulda and will present the latest innovations in rescue services. In addition to the exhibition, there will be an extensive supporting program.
This time, the 340 square meter booth in Hall 1 is all about “Internationalization” and points out that Mercedes-Benz not only works with fire and rescue services in Germany, but increasingly also throughout Europe. This cooperation extends both to the basic vehicles and to the cooperation with the respective body manufacturers. These provide the respective expansion solutions and must take into account the different standards in rescue services of the individual countries. There will be three exhibits at the booth: A Sprinter ambulance with box body from Wietmarscher Ambulanz- und Sonderfahrzeug GmbH, an eVito Tourer as an emergency medical vehicle, which Ambulanz Mobile has expanded, and – as a trade fair premiere – an eCitan as a concept vehicle with an extension for the rescue service from CARS Technik und Logistik GmbH.
“In rescue work, every second counts and reliability, precision and commitment are important – values to which Mercedes-Benz is also committed. As a Europe-wide partner for every mission, we want to continue to be a reliable partner for all helpers and rescuers in the future. To this end, we offer flexible solutions with our vehicles, both with battery-electric drive and efficient diesel technology.”
Kersten Trieb, Head of Direct Business & ABH Vans in Mercedes-Benz distribution Germany
Der Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as an ambulance vehicle
The basic model of the exhibition vehicle is a 5t Sprinter chassis with a box body from Wietmarscher Ambulanz- und Sonderfahrzeug GmbH. The Sprinter is equipped with a 140 kW four-cylinder diesel engine that meets the current Euro VI emissions standard and has rear-wheel drive and a 9G‑TRONIC torque converter automatic transmission. The assistance and safety technology on board includes Crosswind Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Headlight Assist and Active Brake Assist. Among other things, cruise control and comfort driver and front passenger seats with lumbar support increase comfort for drivers. The steering wheel on the right side already indicates that this vehicle will go to a customer in Scotland after the fair – this is also an indication of the growing importance of the European market. The box is perfectly equipped for both patients and paramedics. The interior offers enough space for emergency treatment, the medical equipment is space-saving and functionally accommodated and the complete LED lighting of the interior not only creates an ideally illuminated working environment, but is also very energy-efficient. The newly designed patient lift has a load capacity of 500 kg and facilitates ergonomic loading and unloading of the stretcher.
Der Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer as an emergency medical vehicle
The eVito Tourer from Mercedes-Benz offers the necessary features to meet the requirements of an emergency medical vehicle. The vehicle exhibited at the fair (eVito Tourer with 90 kWh usable battery capacity: Power consumption combined 27,8-27,7 kWh/100km, CO2-emissions combined: 0 g/km)[1] has a highly efficient electric motor, which develops an output of 150 kW (204 hp) and releases a torque of 345 Nm.
A range of up to 370 kilometers (WLTP)1 allows a sufficiently large radius for emergency operations.
Its quick-charge function charges the eVito Tourer with an optional maximum charging power of 110 kW[2] within 45 minutes back to a charge level of 80 percent[3]. The removal of the emergency medical vehicle on display was carried out by the long-standing van partner Ambulanz Mobile GmbH & Co. KG from Schönebeck in Sachsen-Anhalt. Among other things, the vehicle was equipped with a rear cabinet for holding medical equipment and tools, a workstation for the emergency doctor, an undercounter cabinet behind the front passenger for resuscitation assistance and a side cabinet on the C-pillar with warming and cooling compartment.
Mercedes-Benz eCitan for logistics use by fire department and rescue services
The Mercedes-Benz trio at RETTmobil will be completed by the trade fair premiere of an eCitan, which was converted as a concept vehicle by the Mercedes-Benz subsidiary CARS Technik und Logistik GmbH
from Wiedemar as a logistics vehicle for rescue operations. For this purpose, the vehicle received not only the interior fittings – including a heavy-duty pull-out – but also a bi-foiling. On one side, the eCitan is presented in red and yellow as a fire department vehicle, on the other side in yellow and orange for use in rescue services.
The eCitan, which will be available soon, will be available as a panel van in two lengths of 4,498 mm and 4,922 mm. Depending on the type, the range is between 280-284 kilometres1 according to WLTP. This means that it corresponds to many applications in the rescue sector. At fast-charging stations, the 45 kWh battery is charged from 10 to 80 percent (state of charge) within 38 minutes3 with the installed 80 kW DC charger2. Big plus: The load volume and payload are comparable to those of the conventionally powered Citan models. The compact panel van weighs 2.9 cubic meters and up to 544 kilograms, while the long-wheelbase version weighs 3.7 cubic meters and up to 722 kilograms.
[1] Power consumption and range were determined on the basis of Regulation 2017/1151/EU.
[2] Maximum charging power at DC charging station with supply voltage 400 volts, current 300 A; the maximum charging power depends on various factors, such as ambient and battery temperature and the state of charge of the battery at the start of charging.
[3] Minimum charging time from 10 to 80% under optimal conditions at DC charging station with supply voltage 400 volts, current 300 A; the charging time may vary depending on various factors, such as ambient and battery temperature and when using additional auxiliary consumers, such as heating.