BELOEIL, QC, Oct. 18, 2021
/CNW Telbec/ - Demers Ambulances, a leading North American
manufacturer of ambulance vehicles and The Lion
Electric Company (NYSE: LEV) (TSX: LEV) ("Lion" or the
"Company"), a leading manufacturer of all-electric medium and
heavy-duty urban vehicles, unveiled today the Demers eFX Ambulance,
the first all-electric and purpose-built ambulance.
This new model of ambulances, scheduled to be
commercialized in the second half of 2022, was developed with
the support of the government of Quebec and the National
Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance
Program (NRC IRAP). It is the result of nearly five years of
collaborative work carried out by Demers
Ambulances and Lion, which also involved direct input
from many paramedic technicians and emergency medical service
companies. The Demers eFX Ambulance is the first ambulance
designed according to the needs expressed by paramedics.
The Lion5 chassis of the Demers eFX Ambulance will be assembled
in Saint-Jérôme by Lion, while the medical compartment and final
assembly will be carried out by Demers Ambulances in Beloeil. The new 100% electric ambulance
will be sold throughout North
America, and eventually worldwide, as ambulances sold by
Demers and its affiliated brands are already in service in 43
countries. This exclusive mutual agreement between Lion and Demers
contemplates the deployment of at least 1,500 100% electric
ambulances over the next five years by Demers Ambulances.
A Major Evolution, Beyond the
Zero-emission Vision
In addition to being a pioneer in the energy transition of
ambulance transport, the purpose-built electric ambulance will also
make it possible to achieve significant gains in the
ergonomics, safety and efficiency of paramedics, in addition
to improving their overall comfort and that of their patients.
In an industry first, the ambulance will be
equipped with a custom-designed chassis for use as an
ambulance. The research and development teams of Demers
Ambulances and Lion have completely redesigned the living
space of the two sections of the vehicle and rethought the
ergonomics and layout of the ambulance as we know it.
Some of the main challenges that paramedic technicians
frequently face are the ability to maneuver freely
while the ambulance is in motion to provide care to the
patient while sitting with a seatbelt fastened. The Demers
Ambulances' research and development team, supported by
numerous paramedics consulted throughout this process,
has developed many innovative features which will be
unveiled prior to certification and start of vehicle
production.
Quotes
"This is a great day for Demers Ambulances! Together with our
employees, colleagues, partners, and elected officials who support
this project that has become a reality, we unveil our 100% electric
ambulance, marking the most important evolution of ambulance
transport since the first generation of Demers ambulances 60 years
ago. Combining innovation and performance, the 100% electric
ambulance is the result of an exceptional collaboration with
paramedics and we are particularly proud to see this new vehicle
generate so much enthusiasm and excitement from the community! I
would like to salute the leadership and genius of the Lion team and
thank the Government of Quebec and
NRC IRAP for their support from day one of this ambitious
project."
- Alain Brunelle, CEO of Demers
Ambulances
"It's been 5 years since the Lion and Demers Ambulances teams joined forces to develop
the 100% electric ambulance that we are unveiling today. Thanks to
the Lion5 chassis and Demers' expertise, this ambulance provides
features never seen before. It is with great pride
that Lion has participated in this transformative project
for society. And this is only the beginning, as the
Lion5 chassis developed by Lion could be used in many other
applications."
- Marc Bédard, CEO - Founder of Lion
"With this project, Demers Ambulances and Lion are demonstrating
innovation and entrepreneurial boldness. This project not only
creates good jobs and long-term prosperity, but also positions
Canada as a leader in electric
transportation. The electrification of transportation is a major
lever for achieving both our economic and climate goals.
That's why we are proud to support and accompany these innovative
companies in this important stage of their growth."
- François-Philippe Champagne,
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
"The realization of this 100% electric ambulance highlights
Quebec's expertise in the design
of electric vehicles and its leadership in the electrification of
transportation. This fine example of industrial collaboration
between two Quebec companies,
Demers Ambulances and Lion Electric, will certainly be a success on
a North American and even international scale."
- Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of
Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for Regional
Economic Development
"Healthcare workers are so precious to us, we must do everything
possible to take care of them. In the era of the electrification of
transportation, the arrival of the all-electric ambulance will
limit the problems of ergonomics and the risks of accidents in the
vehicle on the move. It is therefore an important advancement that
combines safety and innovation for patients and healthcare
workers."
- Christian Dubé, Minister of Health and Social Services
"Today's announcement is another step to reduce GHG emissions in
the transportation sector. To achieve carbon neutrality in 2050, it
is necessary to electrify everything that can be electrified and an
electric ambulance is a concrete example. Supported in part by the
Electrification and Climate Change Fund (ECEF), this is a further
step forward in the implementation of the 2030 Green Economy
Plan."
- Benoit Charette, Minister of the
Environment, and the Fight against Climate Change
About Demers Ambulances
With its strong and diverse
portfolio of Demers, Braun, Crestline, and Medix brands, Demers
Ambulances is the second largest ambulance manufacturer in
North America. Demers, Braun
Crestline, and Medix Specialty Vehicles offer ambulance models
ranging from the economy ambulance to the highly customized
specialized vehicle. To learn more about how Demers Ambulances,
Braun Industries, Crestline Coach, and Medix Specialty Vehicles can
help you save more lives, visit www.Demers-Ambulances.com,
www.BraunAmbulances.com, www.CrestlineCoach.com,
www.MedixAmbulance.com.
About Lion Electric Company
Lion Electric is an
innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles. The
company creates, designs and manufactures all-electric class 5
to class 8 commercial urban trucks and all-electric buses and
minibuses for the school, paratransit and mass transit
segments. Lion is a North American leader in electric
transportation and designs, builds and assembles many of
its vehicles' components, including chassis, battery packs,
truck cabins and bus bodies.
Always actively seeking new and reliable technologies, Lion
vehicles have unique features that are specifically adapted to
its users and their everyday needs. Lion believes that
transitioning to all-electric vehicles will lead to major
improvements in our society, environment and overall quality
of life. Lion shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and
the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LEV.
Lion Electric, The Bright Move
Thelionelectric.com
About the Government of Quebec's financial support
MOBEL, a
specialty electric heavy-duty vehicle mobilization project in which
Demers and Lion are participating, receives financial
assistance from the Government of Quebec and meets the objectives of the Plan
for a Green Economy 2030.
About the NRC IRAP financial support
The research and
development of the Demers eFX ambulance project benefits from
advisory services and funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial
Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).
Click here to view the Demers Ambulances FX Ambulance media
area, including photos of the launch event.
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SOURCE Lion Electric