Revolutionizing Emergency Response: The Future of Hybrid Vehicles

Harbinger Partners with Frazer to Build Ambulances and Mobile Healthcare Vehicles

Harbinger, a young trucking startup, has recently expanded its customer base by partnering with Frazer, a 70-year-old company specializing in emergency vehicles. This collaboration will see Frazer utilizing Harbinger’s electric vehicle platform for the construction of ambulances and larger mobile healthcare vehicles.

The partnership was announced on Wednesday, showcasing the growing success of companies like Harbinger in the electric and hybrid vehicle market. Despite challenges in the passenger vehicle sector in the United States, Harbinger’s innovative approach has allowed it to thrive. Grounded, another Detroit-based startup, also made headlines this week for collaborating with Colgate on mobile dental care vehicles.

CEO John Harris attributes Harbinger’s success to its flexible platform, which can be customized to meet the specific needs of each customer. The company’s chassis can be adjusted in length and equipped with a range-extending combustion engine if desired. This versatility has enabled Harbinger to power a variety of vehicles, including RVs, FedEx delivery vans, box trucks, and now ambulances, leading to over $300 million in funding to date.

Frazer CEO Laura Griffin expressed enthusiasm about switching to Harbinger’s hybrid powertrain, which offers a predominantly electric solution with the ability to leverage a gas engine for additional battery charging. This transition is expected to reduce total cost of ownership for customers and increase vehicle uptime.

As part of the partnership, Frazer will also purchase battery-based auxiliary power units from Harbinger to be used in both new hybrid emergency vehicles and older combustion models. These units will replace traditional generators, providing clean and abundant power for medical devices in the field without drawing energy from the vehicle’s main battery or combustion engine.

Harris foresees significant growth potential in this venture, as the demand for auxiliary power units extends beyond hybrid vehicles. The market for these units is expected to expand rapidly, particularly in California where regulations on gas generators are becoming stricter.

Overall, the collaboration between Harbinger and Frazer highlights the importance of innovation in the transportation industry and the benefits of adopting electric and hybrid technologies. By combining their expertise, the two companies are poised to revolutionize the emergency vehicle market and set new standards for sustainability and efficiency.