Credit: Cargolux
On Friday 28 August 2026, Luxembourg-based cargo airline Cargolux announced that it supported the testing of what is described as the world's first solar-powered ambulance in Kenya by transporting the vehicle free of charge from Luxembourg to Nairobi.
The vehicle, named Stella Juva, was developed by 23 students from Solar Team Eindhoven at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in cooperation with international health organisation Amref Health Africa. It is designed to improve access to medical care in remote areas where infrastructure and access to electricity and fuel are limited.
Unlike a traditional ambulance, Stella Juva is designed to bring medical care directly to communities. Solar panels installed on the roof and extendable panels on the sides generate energy both to power the vehicle and operate medical equipment.
The vehicle was transported to Nairobi for a testing phase aimed at demonstrating the concept in the roads and terrain for which it was developed. Cargolux provided its logistics expertise and transported the ambulance from Luxembourg to Kenya free of charge.
Richard Forson, President and CEO of Cargolux, said: "True to its pioneering legacy, Cargolux is proud to support innovation by facilitating the transport of the vehicle to Nairobi. Through our specialist logistics expertise, we help innovative ideas reach the communities where they can make a meaningful difference."
Solar Team Eindhoven said the testing in Kenya would allow the team to assess the vehicle in conditions where solar-powered medical transport could have a practical impact.
