PPG Supports Solar-Powered Ambulance with Battery Fire Protection Coating
PPG supported the development of Stella Juva, believed to be the world’s first solar-powered ambulance, developed by Solar Team Eindhoven at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands.
The company provided a $46,250 (€40,000) grant and supplied its PPG CORACHAR SE 4000 epoxy intumescent battery fire protection coating. The technology is intended to protect the vehicle’s battery system from external fire exposure and risks associated with internal thermal runaway.
Stella Juva incorporates solar panels into its roof to generate energy for both driving and onboard medical equipment. The project is intended to demonstrate a potential off-grid healthcare transportation option for remote and underserved areas where electricity or fuel may be difficult to access.
PPG said battery fire protection technologies can help slow the spread of heat and fire during a thermal runaway event. The company is also providing technical support from its battery fire protection specialists in Amsterdam.
The collaboration follows PPG’s previous support for Solar Team Eindhoven’s Stella Terra, an off-road solar-powered vehicle unveiled in 2023.
The project demonstrates how specialized coating technologies are being applied to battery safety and thermal management as electrified mobility develops. Follow PCI’s Automotive Coatings coverage for additional developments in vehicle coating technologies and applications.
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