Ambulance Stretchers Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity & Forecast, Segmented by Product (Emergency Stretchers, Transport Stretchers), By Technology (Manual Stretchers, Electric Powered Stretchers, Pneumatic Stretchers), By Equipment (Hospitals, EMS Service Providers, Ambulatory Service Centers, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.62 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	3.66%
Fastest Growing Segment	Transport Stretchers
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.25 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Ambulance Stretchers Market will grow from USD 2.62 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.25 Billion by 2031 at a 3.66% CAGR. Ambulance stretchers are specialized medical apparatus designed to secure and transport patients requiring emergency care, ensuring stability and integration with emergency medical service vehicles. The market is primarily driven by the rising frequency of road traffic accidents and the growing geriatric population, both of which necessitate reliable patient transport solutions. This demand for emergency response infrastructure is substantiated by recent data; according to the National Safety Council, in 2024, an estimated 44,680 people died in preventable traffic crashes in the United States. Such high incident rates underscore the critical necessity for durable and efficient transport equipment within global emergency services.

Despite this clear demand, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the high acquisition and maintenance costs associated with powered and bariatric stretcher systems. These financial barriers often deter adoption in developing regions where healthcare budgets are limited, compelling providers to rely on manual alternatives. Consequently, restricted capital in price-sensitive markets continues to impede the broader expansion of advanced stretcher technologies.

Key Market Drivers

Technological advancements in powered and hydraulic stretcher systems are revolutionizing patient transport by significantly reducing the physical strain on EMS personnel. Innovations in automated loading mechanisms address the critical need to mitigate provider injuries while ensuring secure transport for patients. For instance, according to Ferno-Washington, Inc., April 2025, in the 'Ferno Debuts Next-Generation EMS Transport System at FDIC 2025' press release, the company unveiled the Power F2 Fastening System and Power X2 Ambulance Cot, featuring Cross-Drive Technology designed to deliver continuous push-pull assist and smoother loading. This industry-wide shift toward sophisticated, powered solutions is substantiated by the strong financial performance of leading manufacturers; according to Stryker Corporation, July 2025, in the 'Second Quarter 2025 Earnings' report, the MedSurg and Neurotechnology segment achieved a 17.3% increase in net sales, underscoring the accelerating global adoption of advanced emergency care equipment.

Simultaneously, the expansion of healthcare infrastructure and the modernization of ambulance fleets serve as a foundational driver for market growth. As public health agencies strive to reduce response times and upgrade aging assets, significant capital is being directed toward the procurement of new emergency vehicles equipped with modern stretcher compatibility. A notable example of this trend occurred when, according to the Emergency Services Times, June 2025, in the 'Government announces 500 new ambulances' article, the UK government detailed a £450 million investment to bolster urgent care, which includes rolling out nearly 500 new ambulances across the country by March 2026. These large-scale government initiatives not only spur immediate volume sales but also enforce higher standards for patient transport hardware, compelling providers to invest in durable and compliant stretcher systems.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary challenge hampering the expansion of the Global Ambulance Stretchers Market is the substantial acquisition and maintenance cost associated with powered and bariatric stretcher systems. While these units are essential for managing heavier patient loads and reducing operator strain, their high price point creates a significant barrier to entry for emergency medical service providers with restricted budgets. The total cost of ownership, which includes required ongoing maintenance and battery replacements, often exceeds the financial capacity of smaller agencies and healthcare facilities in developing regions.

Consequently, this financial pressure compels procurement departments to defer fleet modernization or continue relying on manual alternatives, thereby stalling the adoption rate of advanced transport technologies. This hesitation is largely driven by broader economic constraints affecting the sector. According to the American Ambulance Association, in 2024, reimbursements from government payers covered only 70 percent of the actual cost of providing ground ambulance services. Such funding deficits force providers to prioritize immediate operational expenses over capital investments in premium equipment, directly limiting market volume and revenue growth.

Key Market Trends

Expansion of Specialized Bariatric Patient Transport Solutions is increasingly critical as rising global obesity rates compel manufacturers to re-engineer stretcher frames for higher weight capacities and wider surface areas. Emergency medical services are prioritizing these reinforced units to ensure dignified and safe handling for larger patients, addressing a demographic shift that standard equipment cannot accommodate. This surge in demand is driven by escalating obesity metrics; according to the World Obesity Federation, March 2024, in the 'World Obesity Atlas 2024', it is projected that the number of adults living with obesity will rise to 1.53 billion in 2035. Consequently, the market is witnessing a strategic pivot towards heavy-duty pneumatic systems and widened cot platforms that strictly comply with these evolving patient anthropometrics.

Implementation of Advanced Antimicrobial Surface Coatings has emerged as a vital trend to mitigate cross-contamination risks in pre-hospital care settings. Manufacturers are integrating self-sanitizing materials, such as copper alloys and silver-ion treated polymers, directly into stretcher rails and mattresses to inhibit pathogen survival between cleanings. This focus on infection control is substantiated by persistent healthcare challenges; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 2024, in the 'Current HAI Progress Report', on any given day, about 1 in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection. As a result, agencies are mandating bacteriostatic features in procurement specifications to protect both immunocompromised patients and EMS personnel from communicable diseases.

Segmental Insights

The transport stretchers segment is currently emerging as the fastest-growing category within the global ambulance stretchers market. This expansion is largely attributed to the heightened necessity for secure patient transfer during pre-hospital care and routine medical transport. Stringent safety protocols established by entities such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration encourage the adoption of ergonomically designed units to minimize physical strain on emergency medical service providers. Additionally, the increasing global geriatric population necessitates frequent medical mobility, further cementing the demand for reliable transport stretchers in emergency response infrastructures.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global ambulance stretchers market, primarily due to established emergency medical services and favorable reimbursement structures. The region experiences a steady demand for patient transport arising from a high rate of road accidents and chronic illnesses. Furthermore, the concentration of major manufacturers in the United States supports widespread product accessibility. Regulatory compliance remains a key factor, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration enforces strict safety standards for medical devices, ensuring that healthcare providers invest in approved and durable stretcher systems.

Recent Developments

• In April 2025, Ferno unveiled its next-generation powered patient transport system at the FDIC International exhibition in Indianapolis. The company introduced a new fastening system and a powered ambulance cot designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern emergency response teams. A major technological breakthrough presented was a unique cross-drive feature that offered compatibility with cot systems from different manufacturers, enhancing operational versatility. This development aimed to streamline the loading and unloading process, significantly reducing the physical burden on medics and improving the overall efficiency of ambulance fleet operations.
• In September 2024, Technimount EMS announced the launch of a specialized mounting system designed to enhance neonatal critical care transport. The newly introduced Xtension Pro Neonatal was engineered to securely accommodate specific incubator models and various medical device configurations directly onto the Stryker Power-Pro 2 stretcher. This innovation utilized advanced clamping technology to seamlessly convert a standard emergency stretcher into a fully equipped neonatal transport unit. The product release focused on providing medical teams with increased modularity and flexibility, ensuring that vulnerable patients could be transported safely with all necessary life-support equipment readily accessible.
• In May 2024, Kartsana successfully showcased its latest advancements in the ambulance stretcher market during the RETTmobil exhibition in Germany. The company highlighted the capabilities of its newest electric stretcher model, the SUPERBRAVA, which was developed to enhance ergonomics and operational safety for emergency medical professionals. Key features emphasized during the event included a substantial load capacity of 320 kg and a reinforced structure certified to meet rigorous industry safety standards. This showcase demonstrated the manufacturer's focus on reducing the physical strain associated with patient loading and unloading while ensuring maximum stability during transport.
• In March 2024, Stryker Corporation expanded its emergency care portfolio by launching a new patient transport solution at a prominent medical conference in India. The company introduced an advanced evacuation chair specifically designed to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of patients with limited mobility during critical emergency situations. This new product featured enhanced maneuverability for navigating tight spaces and a compact design that optimized storage efficiency within ambulances. The launch addressed a critical market need for comprehensive evacuation tools that complement standard ambulance stretchers, aiming to improve patient safety and responder effectiveness in complex rescue scenarios.

Key Market Players

• Stryker
• Ferno-Washington
• Stryker EMS
• Ferno
• Ferno
• Milan
• Medstrom
• Wheeled Stretcher Co.
• Skedco
• ZOLL Medical

By Technology	By Equipment	By Region
Manual Stretchers Electric Powered Stretchers Pneumatic Stretchers	Hospitals EMS Service Providers Ambulatory Service Centers Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Ambulance Stretchers Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Ambulance Stretchers Market, By Technology:

• Manual Stretchers
• Electric Powered Stretchers
• Pneumatic Stretchers

• Ambulance Stretchers Market, By Equipment:

• Hospitals
• EMS Service Providers
• Ambulatory Service Centers
• Others

• Ambulance Stretchers Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE