In July 2026, a team of students from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands unveiled what is believed to be the world’s first solar-powered ambulance.
It’s called the Stella Juva.
The team, comprised of nearly two dozen student engineers and designers, has a dream of making medical care accessible to people in the most remote regions of the world — while also using sustainable power to do so.
“We were inspired by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which strive to make good healthcare accessible to everyone,” 21-year-old team manager Mathijs van Gerven, said in a statement.
“Stella Juva is fully equipped to deliver medical healthcare in hard-to-reach areas.”
The ambulance is almost Cybertruck-like in appearance, but it packs a much bigger punch than a standard pedestrian vehicle. It generates energy through solar panels on its roof, which then drives the vehicle and powers medical equipment on board.
On a sunny day, the solar ambulance can reach a top speed of about 75 miles per hour and is expected to cover approximately 445 miles. Medical devices housed inside include X-ray machines and defibrillators.
There are two seats inside the vehicle, but once parked, a tent can be pulled out, accompanied by folding chairs, so patients can be seen on-site.
In addition to supporting acute care needs, the ambulance is also equipped with testing kits for tuberculosis, cooled storage for vaccines, and ultrasound devices for pregnant patients.
The student team collaborated with international health organizations like Amref Health Africa, formerly known as Flying Doctors.
“For millions of people, good healthcare remains out of reach. Access to care shouldn’t depend on whether there’s access to electricity or fuel,” Femke Maurits, partnerships manager of Amref Health Africa in the Netherlands, said in a statement.
“Amref Health Africa has been working for almost 70 years to make healthcare in Africa better and more accessible. In remote areas, healthcare workers sometimes travel great distances by bicycle, and reliable energy is not a given,” Maurits added.
“That’s why we’re proud to explore together with Solar Team Eindhoven how solar-powered innovation can bring healthcare closer to people who currently have almost no access to it.”
This isn’t just a student project; Stella Juva will soon be deployed in Kenya to test various locations where the ambulance could be deployed in the future.
“In several remote areas, healthcare scenarios will be simulated, such as the treatment of patients with tuberculosis. This allows the team to evaluate how effectively the solar-powered ambulance performs in real-world conditions,” a press release explained.
“During the testing phase, the team will visit two field locations where the treatment of patients will be simulated. At the same time, the team expects to cover hundreds of kilometers with Stella Juva, powered entirely by solar energy.”
While it’s unclear what will happen after the test run, the student team is eager to solve real-world issues with their invention.
“Together with healthcare organizations, we’re developing a vehicle that fits real-world practice. We hope to improve healthcare access, and make it more sustainable,” Yarno Basten, partnerships manager of Solar Team Eindhoven, said in a statement.
“We want to inspire healthcare providers, companies, and other organizations to create social impact through technology. If 23 students can achieve this in a single year, it shows what's possible when the technological industry and social organizations work together.”
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Featured Image: Courtesy of Solar Team Eindhoven
