The Solar Team Eindhoven at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU Eindhoven) has unveiled Stella Juva, a solar-powered ambulance designed to deliver medical services in remote regions where access to electricity, fuel and healthcare infrastructure is limited.
The vehicle is scheduled to undergo field trials in Kenya later this month, where the team will evaluate its performance under real-world operating conditions.
Mobile Healthcare Powered by the Sun
Unlike conventional ambulances, Stella Juva is not designed to transport patients to hospitals. Instead, it functions as a mobile medical clinic, bringing healthcare services directly to underserved communities.
Solar panels integrated into the vehicle’s roof generate electricity to power both the electric drivetrain and onboard medical equipment, including portable X-ray machines, ultrasound systems and vaccine refrigeration units.
According to the development team, the ambulance can travel up to 715 kilometres on paved roads under favourable sunny conditions, allowing it to operate independently of conventional charging infrastructure.
Developed for Humanitarian Healthcare
The project was developed by the Solar Team Eindhoven, a student-led engineering team that has spent more than a decade designing solar-powered vehicles, including passenger cars and off-road prototypes.
Stella Juva was created in collaboration with humanitarian organisations, including Amref Health Africa, to ensure the vehicle meets practical healthcare requirements in remote environments.
Team Manager Mathijs van Gerven said the project was inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“We were inspired by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which strive to make good healthcare accessible to everyone.”
Partnerships Manager Yarno Basten added:
“If twenty-three students can achieve this in a single year, it shows what’s possible when the technological industry and social organisations work together.”
Kenya Trials to Begin
The team will travel to Kenya in August to evaluate Stella Juva across two field regions.
Testing will simulate healthcare scenarios including tuberculosis treatment and preventive medical check-ups while assessing the vehicle’s ability to operate on unpaved roads common in rural communities.
Amref Health Africa said the project has the potential to improve healthcare accessibility in areas where reliable electricity and fuel supplies remain limited.
“For millions of people, access to quality healthcare remains out of reach. However, access to medical care should not depend on the availability of electricity or fuel,” said Femke Maurits, Partnerships Manager at Amref Health Africa in the Netherlands.
The field programme will also build on experience gained by the Solar Team Eindhoven during testing of its solar-powered off-road vehicle in the Sahara in 2023, helping assess how renewable-powered mobility can support healthcare delivery in challenging environments.
