Conversion of a gas-powered motorcycle ambulance to electric power for the organization Moving Health in Ghana
MIT D-Lab class
Hardware for International Development 2024
Team
- Yi Lin Chen, senior in mechanical engineering at MIT
- Ethan Harrison, M.S. Technology and Policy / Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Haley Higginbotham, M.S. MechE MIT
Community partner
- Moving Health
- Isaac Amoah Quansah, Chief Technology Officer/Country Director
Country
Ghana
Problem or opportunity driving the project
Moving Health is an organization based in Ghana where they are building and deploying custom motorcycle ambulances to serve hard-to-reach areas in the northern part of the country. In an effort to reduce variable costs in operations, Moving Health is hoping to transition some of its gas-powered fleet to electric power.
Cultural context
Communities in northern Ghana often lack access to emergency medical transportation services. Moving Health offers a solution to this challenge via their motorcycle ambulance.
Theory of change
Price shocks in the global fuel market have impacted Ghana resulting in high domestic fuel prices. Converting their gas-powered fleet to electricity can improve resilience and prevent Moving Health by being impacted by future fluctuations in the cost of fuel within Ghana.
Proposed solution
Battery system with off-the-shelf motor and motor controller. 31kWh battery size for a 150 km range and we estimate that the battery will weigh 125 kg mass
Next steps
- Conduct cycle testing on existing EVT batteries
- Design battery box to mount onto the ambulance
- Design cooling system for thermoregulation of the battery
More information
Aditya Mehrotra, MIT D-Lab instructor
