Ten Kate ventures off the beaten track: involvement in an innovative ambulance project

Ten Kate Racing was one of the first well-known racing teams to champion sustainability and put it into practice. Fairings and brake pads are made from renewable raw materials, and many developments from the programme dubbed ‘Motonext’ have already found their way into applications outside motorsport. For example, the material developed for racing fairings is now being used in shower trays for motorhomes.

Another project outside the industry is one in which the Nieuwleusen-based company has recently become involved: an ambulance with an electric motor, a swappable battery and a lightweight body. The project is an initiative by Motonext and is based on the conviction that tried-and-tested technologies from motorsport can help solve important societal challenges. A feasibility study proves that it is possible!

“For years, a fully electric ambulance that meets all the operational requirements of the emergency services was considered impossible. By combining our motorsport expertise, Envecotricity’s unique, patented electric motor technology and the know-how of our consortium partners, we have proven that this is indeed possible,” say Motonext founders Kervin Bos von Ten Kate and Peter Schorer in a joint statement. “Motonext was founded to accelerate the transfer of proven technologies from top-level motorsport to social and industrial applications. The fact that we can simultaneously reduce the environmental impact by around ninety per cent makes this world first all the more remarkable.”

Key specifications of the innovative ambulance:

• A range of more than 350 kilometres

• A top speed of over 160 km/h, which can be maintained continuously for 20 minutes

• An innovative, interchangeable battery cassette system that avoids operational downtime caused by charging

• Full compliance with the requirements of the RDW and the German TÜV

• A lightweight construction using natural fibre composites and recycled materials

Incidentally: Envecotricity is a company based in Schortens near Wilhelmshaven that specialises in electric motorcycles.