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April 2025 – Kenya has completed the first test run of what is believed to be the world’s first solar-powered ambulance, a milestone that could reshape how medical services reach off-grid communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The vehicle, named Stella Juva, is designed to bring diagnostic and emergency care directly to patients rather than relying on traditional transport to clinics.
The ambulance, painted in yellow, black, and white, is equipped with solar panels mounted on its roof that power the electric motor. On a sunny day, the battery delivers a range of up to 715 kilometers, with a top speed of 120 km/h. The panels also allow the vehicle to continue operating at night or during cloudy conditions, ensuring reliability in areas with intermittent grid access.
Inside, Stella Juva carries a suite of medical equipment that turns it into a mobile clinic. It includes testing kits for tuberculosis, cooled storage for vaccines, an X-ray machine, and an ultrasound scanner. The goal is to “bring vital healthcare to those in need rather than transporting them to health centres,” according to Geoffrey Sadera of Amref Health Africa, a partner in the project. He described the ambulance as a “game changer” for rural health delivery.
Isabella Wanningen, a student who worked on the project, told AFP that the team had driven more than 800 kilometers during testing, including off-road routes. “We tested her capabilities—whether she is able to go off-road and how she can actually deliver healthcare,” she said. Wanningen added that the team hopes to inspire “the industry, healthcare organisations and innovators to use sustainable technology to solve real-world problems.”
Exclusive developments and expert perspective
Since the test run, Amref Health Africa has announced plans to deploy a small fleet of these solar ambulances in five Kenyan counties by early 2026, with a focus on areas where the nearest health facility is more than 10 kilometers away. The organization is also in talks with development partners to fund a pilot expansion into Tanzania and Uganda.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, reportedly praised the initiative during a recent virtual meeting, calling it “a brilliant example of how renewable energy can transform primary healthcare in underserved regions.” He noted that solar-powered medical transport could reduce the carbon footprint of health systems while improving access to care.
The Stella Juva project was developed by a consortium including students from the Technical University of Kenya and Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. The vehicle’s two-seat design limits capacity for patients, but the focus is on deploying health workers to communities rather than transporting sick individuals. Future iterations may include a larger cabin for emergency transport.
Implications for global health logistics
The successful test run comes amid growing interest in off-grid solutions for
