Magpas Air Ambulance has added new vehicles to its rapid response fleet in line with rising demand for its lifesaving services.

Kitted out to emergency services specifications, the Volvo XC90s will join the fleet by the spring

The Cambridgeshire-based charity is adding three converted Volvo XC90 hybrid SUVs, expanding its total rapid response fleet to four.

Kitted out to emergency services specifications, the Volvos gain features such as an advanced braking system and larger fuel tank. They’re also all fitted with the latest emergency light and safety systems, including hands-free communication devices and a sat-nav system that is activated by the NHS critical care desks.

The full new fleet of cars – made possible with funding from the HELP appeal and support from Cambridgeshire-based company Triple9 – will be fully operational by spring 2025 and sport the same orange, white and green livery as the new Magpas Air Ambulance helicopter that touched down last autumn.

Andy Smith, Magpas Air Ambulance Clinical operations manager and critical care paramedic, said: “The visibility of our response vehicles is of paramount importance to the safety of our clinical teams and public, especially when responding in the hours of darkness. We have specially designed our livery to be highly reflective and increased the emergency lighting installed on all the vehicles, as well as further enhancing the emergency siren to warn other road users of our presence.

“We hope people across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and further afield will be able to spot these new Magpas Air Ambulance cars on the road, just as they do our helicopter in the sky.”