BYD has supplied a Sealion 7 electric SUV for a six-month emergency response trial in Norfolk, where St John Ambulance volunteers will attend selected 999 calls alongside the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
The vehicle will remain dedicated to the Norfolk pilot throughout the six-month trial.
The liveried vehicle will carry blue lights and medical equipment including defibrillators, oxygen, airway kits and emergency medicines.
Its 520-litre boot gives crews enough space for the gear, while the twin-motor version produces 530 PS and has a quoted range of 502km.
Under the pilot, St John Ambulance co-responders will provide clinical assessment and treatment before an NHS ambulance arrives. The scheme will track response times, patient outcomes and its effect on ambulance demand, with expansion to other parts of England possible if the results support it.
St John Ambulance said its co-responders reach incidents before ambulance crews in more than 94% of dispatches. Some patients can also be treated and discharged at the scene, leaving ambulances available for more urgent cases.
Tom Willis, St John Ambulance head of clinical standards, said early results were encouraging, with volunteers reaching patients quickly and resolving some calls without an ambulance attending.
BYD UK is lending the vehicle for the trial. The charity said using an electric response car would also reduce fuel spending, allowing more donated money to go towards medical work.
St John Ambulance provides the service to the NHS without charge and relies on donations, partnerships and public support.
