Not all power options are created equal! You may have asked yourself… “Which power option is right for my ambulance?” Typically the answer to that question is a combination of cost, maintenance, and more important than ever… environmental footprint. We highly recommend taking a look at your vehicle replacement policy, service resources, and county policies to determine the best power option for your service.
Giving more power options allows for flexibility and scalability of your fleets. This article gives you deeper insights into each power option and how each one can enhance your service.
A Side-by-Side Comparison of Power Options
| Onan | MEPS | hPower | MEPS PMI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option Type | Gasoline Powered Generator | Under Hood Belt Driven Generator | Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Pack System with Idle Mitigation | Lithium Ion Battery Pack System with Idle Mitigation |
| Independent from Chassis Engine (*Requires Chassis Engine for Battery Charging) | Yes | No | *Yes | *Yes |
| Provides Idle Reduction | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Cost Comparison
| Onan | MEPS | hPower | MEPS PMI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | $ 11,000.00 | $ 16,500.00 | $39,000 – $49,000 Dependant on the number of batteries. | $ 35,000.00 |
| Spare Equipment Cost (Not Required, Recommended: 1 Spare per 4 Vehicles) | $ 5,350.00 | $ 2,600.00 | $ 0 | $ 2,600.00 |
| Annual Estimated Fuel Cost (Based on National Average: $3.88/Gallon) | $ 4,850.00 | Negligible | 40-50% reduction per year | 40-50% reduction per year |
| Annual Preventative Maintenance Cost (Labor Not Included) | $ 1,000.00 | Approx. $ 400.00 | $ 0 | Approx. $ 400.00 |
Maintenance Comparison
| Onan | MEPS | hPower | MEPS PMI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preventative Maintenance Intervals | Every 150 Onan Hours | Every 2,500 Engine Hours | None | Every 2,500 Engine Hours |
| Annual Preventative Maintenance Downtime | ~8 Hours | 2-5 Hours | None | 2-5 Hours |
| Frazer 12 VDC Fail-safe Backup | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Installation Space | Large | Small | Large | Large |
| Average Lifespan | 7-10k Onan Hours | Up to 16k Engine Hours | Minimum of 5,000 Charging Cycles 100-50% to maintain 80% of day 1 (new) capacity. | 5,000 Charging Cycles |
| Install Complexity | Easy | Easy | Easy (Less Labor for Install) | Moderate |
Further Comparing Battery Systems & Idle Reduction
Idle Reduction technology allows for intelligent switching between the generator and stored battery power. When your onboard batteries are charged and providing power, the chassis remains off. The system senses when the batteries need to charge and automatically starts the chassis to begin recharging the batteries.
Below is a comparison of our Idle Reduction options.
| hPower | MEPS PMI | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity Options | 8.4 kWh, or 12.7 kWh | 8.4 kWh |
| # of Batteries | 2 + (Dependent on Available Space) | 2 + (Dependent on Available Space) |
| Battery Run Time (Dependent on # of Batteries and Load) | 2-4 Hours | 1 1/2 – 2 Hours |
| System Startup | Automatic, with automatic restart after system shutdown. | Automatic |
| Battery Voltage | 12V | 24V |
| Battery Amperage | 660-990 Ah | 300 Ah |
| Inverter | 5000W 12V-Sine Wave Inverter | 5000W 12V-Sine Wave Inverter |
| Display | Cerbo Touchscreen Display | Color Control Button Display |
| ACU (Alternating Current Unit) Heat | No Heat From ACU | ACU Heat |
| Alternators | No Extra Alternators – OEM Replacement | 3rd Alternator |
| Cooling | Thematically controlled fan system. | Constant Fan Pulling AC from Box |
| Temperature Monitoring | Yes | No |
| Extra Belts | No Extra Belts – Factory OEM Belt Loop | Extra Belt Line |
| Cutting Hoses/Lines | No Cutting or Moving Hoses | Cutting Hoses/Lines |
