To achieve this, HVS will work with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and Foresight Innovations to develop the UK’s first purpose-built hydrogen-powered ambulance set to be completed by the end of March 2022.

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As well as being zero-emissions, the emergency fleet can also benefit from faster refuelling (5 minutes) and extended distances between refuels providing critical attributes that makes it stand out from battery-electric solutions.

Another significant factor is that, with the quick-refuelling, the ambulance can do back-to-back shifts as well as having opportunities for power off-take onboard, allowing medical equipment to be operated with no emissions or having to run on a separate generator.

Jawad Khursheed, CEO of Hydrogen Vehicle Systems, said, “This incredible win for HVS to develop a zero-emission emergency ambulance will help healthcare vehicles that need significant onboard power supplies for both transport and for static.

“The advantages of a hydrogen-electric powertrain that produces its own electricity onboard directly improves vehicle efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions.

“We also expect the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of hydrogen-electric vehicles to reach parity with petrol/diesel vehicles by 2030 if not sooner.”

A spokesperson from the Scottish Ambulance Service said, “The collaboration between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Scottish Ambulance Service and HVS, using a grantfunded project to develop a concept zero-emission hydrogen vehicle ambulance, will prevent healthcare vehicles from contributing to air pollution and future associated respiratory diseases.”