Stella Juva: World's first solar-powered ambulance hits the road in Kenya

Student engineers at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands designed the ambulance, which is powered entirely by the sun to cross remote areas to deliver healthcare services.

Developed in collaboration with Amref Health Africa, Stella Juva is expected to travel up to 715 kilometres on a sunny day. The ambulance relies on independent charging infrastructure.

This week, students from Eindhoven University of Technology arrived in Kenya to test the vehicle in real-world conditions.

As it hit the road in Kenya, the 23 students who developed it would test it across difficult terrain and realistic medical scenarios.

During the flag-off event, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira commended the innovators for a groundbreaking solution that combines clean energy and sustainable transportation technology to provide quality healthcare.

The PS, addressing delegates at the Amref International University-Northlands Campus, said Stella Juva takes Kenya’s solar conversation from powering homes and businesses to powering mobility.

“A solar-powered ambulance brings together renewable energy, electric mobility and emergency healthcare. Such technology could reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower operating costs and emissions, and support more sustainable emergency medical services,” noted PS Wachira.

“Taking Stella Juva through Nakuru, Kajiado, and Narok is valuable because innovation must be tested beyond laboratories,” said PS Wachira.

The PS further challenged local innovators to embrace a shift from prototypes to developing sustainable solutions that can be manufactured, maintained and deployed locally.

This, he said, would be possible if stakeholders adopt partnerships that combine global expertise with local knowledge and African realities.

He further urged stakeholders to utilise the abundant solar resource that Kenya has, the growing renewable-energy sector, an innovative private sector, and talented young people.

“Our responsibility is to connect these strengths and turn them into practical solutions,” he said.

While unveiling the solar-powered ambulance, Eindhoven University of Technology said Stella Juva is about more than sustainable mobility.

“It shows how technology can help tackle societal challenges and improve access to healthcare,” it stated.