Winnebago has announced the development of the first all-electric Mobile Lung Unit (eMLU). Powered by a Ford F-53 based EPIC 6 all-electric chassis from Motiv Power Systems, the specialty health care vehicle features the state-of-the-art Samsung NeuroLogica BodyTom Elite, a portable, full-body, 32-slice CT scanner.
The eMLU vehicle is wrapped featuring the American Lung Association and the Ad Council’s Saved By The Scan initiative to promote the early detection of lung cancer through screening.
According to the American Lung Association, approximately 8 million people in the U.S. are at high risk for lung cancer and are eligible for screening. While the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends lung cancer screening through low-dose CT scanners for those considered at high risk, screening is currently underutilized. To help increase awareness and availability of screening for those considered high risk, the eMLU can travel city-to-city to provide easy access to lung diagnostic services. Individuals can take a lung cancer screening eligibility quiz at SavedByTheScan.org.
Winnebago is displaying the vehicle in San Francisco, at both CALSTART’s Global Commercial Vehicle Drive to Zero Workshop on Sept. 11 and the Global Climate Action Summit from Sept. 12-14.
“We are proud to help increase access to life-saving lung cancer screenings in the clean, quiet and emissions free environment of the first all-electric Mobile Lung Unit,” said Ashis Bhattacharya, vice president of strategic planning and development, and leader of Winnebago’s specialty vehicles division. “As states provide incentives and broaden anti-idling laws, we expect the medical community to adopt the customizable all-electric community outreach vehicle for a variety of functions, such as lung cancer screening, asthma management and support, blood donation, dentistry or primary care.”
Motiv Power Systems’ all-electric/zero-emissions EPIC chassis removes the need to idle an engine. The vehicle also holds enough charge for eight hours of service, plus round-trip travel to and from its home facility; and charges to half its full capacity in two hours and 75 percent of capacity in four hours. Winnebago reports that the vehicle has completed significant road testing and delivers an expected range of 85 to 125 miles on a full charge.
Winnebago partnered with Motiv Power Systems for the development and supply of the EPIC all-electric powered chassis after their joint strategic partnership announcement earlier this year. Based on the average cost of fuel in the U.S., the eMLU is expected to save $150,000 to $200,000 in combined diesel fuel and maintenance savings. Winnebago anticipates the ROI of eMLU vehicles compared to internal combustion engine versions to be as little as three years.
“The world’s first all-electric Mobile Lung Unit is a big milestone in the trend of bringing care direct to the consumer without harming patients, health, or the environment,” said Jim Castelaz, Motiv CEO and founder. “Motiv’s Ford eQVM approved EPIC all-electric chassis, paired with Winnebago Industries’ highly regarded commercial shell, brings unparalleled reliable performance and functionality as we work together to electrify the specialty vehicle market.”
