Type I: $120K–$250K | Type II: $80K–$130K | Remount: $60K–$100K | Monthly financing from ~$2,800
Finance Your Ambulance →If you are shopping for an ambulance for a private EMS company, fire department, hospital transport service, or non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) business, the sticker price is only part of the equation. This guide breaks down real 2026 ambulance prices by type, manufacturer, and configuration — plus financing options so you can get on the road without draining your operating capital.
The federal KKK-A-1822F standard and NFPA 1917 define three ambulance types. Each has a distinct cost profile:
| Type | Platform | Base Vehicle (Unequipped) | Fully Equipped | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type I | Heavy-duty truck (F-450, F-550, Ram 4500) | $85,000–$160,000 | $120,000–$250,000 | ALS, high-acuity 911 response |
| Type II | Full-size van (Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter) | $55,000–$85,000 | $80,000–$130,000 | BLS, NEMT, hospital transport |
| Type III | Van cutaway (E-Series, Transit cutaway) | $65,000–$120,000 | $100,000–$200,000 | ALS/BLS hybrid, rural EMS |
| Remount | Existing box on new chassis | $40,000–$65,000 | $60,000–$100,000 | Fleet replacement, budget-conscious |
| Used/Certified | Any type, pre-owned | $20,000–$60,000 | $30,000–$90,000 | Startups, NEMT expansion |
Based in Grove City, Ohio, Horton is one of the largest ambulance manufacturers in the U.S. Their Model 623 Type I on a Ford F-550 runs approximately $185,000–$220,000 base. The 473 Type III on a Ford Transit cutaway starts around $130,000. Horton's custom builds with advanced HVAC, power loading, and aluminum construction push prices toward $250,000.
Demers (a REV Group company) is known for their MXP170 Type I and the highly regarded EXE on Mercedes Sprinter Type II. The Sprinter-based EXE runs $95,000–$120,000. Their Type I MXP170 on an F-550 typically quotes $160,000–$195,000 depending on configuration.
REV Group's Road Rescue division offers the Ultramedic series with pricing from $140,000–$230,000. The AEV Traumahawk Type III runs $110,000–$165,000. Leader Ambulances, also under REV, specialize in high-specification custom builds that can exceed $280,000.
PL Custom is a dominant Type I and Type III builder in the eastern U.S. Their Premier Series Type I starts around $145,000 and the Summit Type III begins at $105,000. Delivery times run 8–14 months for new builds.
Life Line produces aluminum-intensive Type I and Type III units known for corrosion resistance. Pricing for their flagship XT series runs $155,000–$210,000 equipped.
The vehicle chassis is only the beginning. Outfitting a fully compliant ALS ambulance adds $30,000–$80,000. Here is a representative breakdown:
| Equipment Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Power cot / stretcher (Stryker Power-PRO XT) | $12,000–$18,000 |
| Cardiac monitor/defibrillator (Zoll X Series, Physio-Control LIFEPAK 15) | $18,000–$35,000 |
| Ventilator (Hamilton T1, Zoll Eagle II) | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Oxygen system (tanks, regulators, mounts) | $2,500–$5,000 |
| Suction unit (Sscor 2314, bound tree) | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Power load system (Stryker Power-LOAD) | $10,000–$15,000 |
| Communications / CAD terminal | $4,000–$12,000 |
| Drug box / medications (BLS or ALS kit) | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Cabinets, mounting hardware, lighting | $4,000–$10,000 |
| Total Equipment (ALS) | $63,000–$125,500 |
Cost: $120,000–$250,000
Pros: Warranty (3–5 yr chassis, 5–10 yr box), latest safety features, reliable uptime, full compliance.
Cons: 8–18 month delivery lead time, highest upfront cost.
Best for: Established EMS services with predictable revenue and growth plans.
Cost: $60,000–$100,000
Pros: 40–50% savings, 4–8 week lead time, extends box life by 10+ years.
Cons: Limited warranty, may not include latest technology, requires box inspection.
Best for: Budget-constrained agencies replacing aging fleets quickly.
Down: 10–20% typical
Terms: 36–72 months
Pros: Preserves capital, tax deductible (Section 179), predictable payments, upgrade cycle.
Cons: Interest cost over loan life.
Best for: Any operator who wants to scale without tying up cash reserves.
Equipment financing for ambulances works like an auto loan. You put down 10–20%, and payments spread across 36–60 months. Here are illustrative payment ranges using current market rates:
| Ambulance Cost | Down (15%) | Amount Financed | 36-Month Payment | 60-Month Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $85,000 (used Type II) | $12,750 | $72,250 | ~$2,280/mo | ~$1,450/mo |
| $130,000 (new Type II) | $19,500 | $110,500 | ~$3,480/mo | ~$2,220/mo |
| $175,000 (Type I) | $26,250 | $148,750 | ~$4,690/mo | ~$2,990/mo |
| $230,000 (Type I, fully equipped) | $34,500 | $195,500 | ~$6,160/mo | ~$3,930/mo |
Payment estimates based on 7–9% APR range. Actual rates vary by credit profile and lender.
Your total cost of ownership over 5 years goes well beyond the sticker. Budget for:
Total 5-year operating cost (excluding debt service): approximately $150,000–$280,000 per unit.
Non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) operators typically deploy Type II van-based units, which cost $80,000–$130,000 fully equipped. Equipment requirements are lower — no ALS drugs, no advanced monitors — so outfitting runs $15,000–$30,000. This makes NEMT a significantly lower capital barrier to entry than a full ALS 911 service.
A 911 ALS response unit (Type I or Type III) with full defibrillator, ventilator, power load, and drug complement can easily run $220,000–$330,000 all-in. Insurance costs are also substantially higher.
Merchant Fund Express provides equipment financing for EMS services, private transport companies, hospital systems, and fire departments nationwide. Our process is straightforward:
We work with established EMS operators and startups. If your business has been operating 6+ months and generates $10,000+ per month in revenue, we want to talk. Call us at (305) 384-8391.
For healthcare operators who need financing beyond ambulances, explore our working capital and line of credit options to cover payroll, supplies, and operational expenses between billing cycles.
A new Type I (truck-based) ambulance costs $120,000–$250,000. A Type II (van-based) runs $80,000–$130,000. Type III (van-cutaway) averages $100,000–$200,000 fully equipped.
A remount takes a used ambulance box and mounts it on a new chassis. Cost runs $60,000–$100,000, saving 40–50% versus buying new while extending vehicle life by 8–12 years.
Medical equipment and outfitting (stretcher, defibrillator, oxygen, monitors, communications) adds $30,000–$80,000 on top of the base vehicle price. A fully equipped Type I may total $180,000–$330,000.
Yes. Equipment financing covers ambulances for EMS services, private transport companies, and hospitals. Terms typically run 36–60 months with 10–20% down. A $150,000 ambulance on a 60-month term runs approximately $2,800–$3,200/month.
Most ambulances have a service life of 5–7 years on the chassis and 10–15 years on the box with proper maintenance. High-mileage units (150,000+ miles) are typically retired or remounted.
Leading manufacturers include Horton Emergency Vehicles, Demers Ambulances, REV Group (Road Rescue, AEV, Leader), PL Custom Emergency Vehicles, and Life Line Emergency Vehicles.
Yes. Lenders finance used ambulances with clean titles, typically up to 10 years old. Rates are slightly higher than new, and lenders may require a mechanical inspection.
Most equipment lenders want a 650+ credit score for standard terms. Merchant Fund Express works with businesses across the credit spectrum and can structure financing for scores as low as 580 with sufficient business revenue.
Get approved in 24–48 hours. Preserve your capital and put your unit on the road faster.
Apply Online Now (305) 384-8391