PPG is supporting the launch of what is believed to be the world’s first solar-powered ambulance, Stella Juva — an innovation designed to bring sustainable healthcare solutions to remote and underserved communities.
Developed by Solar Team Eindhoven, a student organization from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, Stella Juva uses integrated solar panels built into its roof to generate enough energy for both vehicle operation and onboard medical equipment. The fully off-grid ambulance is designed to provide critical healthcare access in regions where electricity and fuel supplies are limited.
PPG provided a $46,250 (€40,000) grant to support the vehicle’s development and contributed its PPG CORACHAR SE 4000 epoxy intumescent battery fire protection coating to help safeguard the ambulance’s battery system from external fire exposure and internal thermal runaway risks.
“With this initiative, Solar Team Eindhoven aims not only to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future, but also to create social impact by improving access to healthcare,” said Solar Team manager Mathijs van Gerven. “We were inspired by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which strive to make good healthcare accessible to everyone.”
The project highlights the growing role of solar and electric mobility technologies in solving real-world challenges beyond transportation.
“A key challenge in the transition to electric and solar-powered mobility is ensuring the safety of battery systems under all operating conditions,” said Shuang Ma, PPG global battery safety platform leader Automotive OEM Coatings.
"While battery failures are rare, the consequences of thermal runaway events can be severe. Advanced battery fire protection technologies play an important role in slowing the spread of heat and fire, providing valuable time for occupants and first responders to react. We are proud to contribute our expertise to a project that showcases how innovative mobility solutions can support essential healthcare services.”
PPG’s CoraChar and PPG CORAGUARD battery fire protection coatings create heat insulation and blast resistance barriers during thermal runaway events, helping protect battery systems and passengers from battery fires. The technologies build on PPG’s expertise in industrial and commercial fire protection while supporting battery safety, lightweight vehicle design and occupant protection.
Beyond its financial and technical contributions, PPG is providing expertise from its battery fire protection specialists in Amsterdam to support the project.
The partnership continues PPG’s collaboration with Solar Team Eindhoven, following the 2023 unveiling of Stella Terra, described as the world’s first off-road solar-powered vehicle. That project demonstrated the potential of solar energy to reduce dependence on charging infrastructure and paved roads.
With Stella Juva, Solar Team Eindhoven is taking the next step — showing how solar mobility can move beyond transportation and help deliver essential healthcare where it is needed most.
