Ambulance and ambulette are related to each other but different. These two refer to the vehicle used for the transportation of sick people. Most of the people are aware of the word ambulance and they even call an ambulette as ambulance as for them there is no difference between the two vehicles. For a common man, ambulance and ambulette are the same.

Ambulance is a more popular term than ambulette. Ambulance is a vehicle that is mainly used for life saving whereas an ambulette is used to carry disabled persons.

An ambulance will have trained para-medical staff whereas these staffs are not available with an ambulette. An ambulance is equipped with life support system, which is generally not seen in an ambulette. Wheel chair ramps and hydraulic lifts are seen with an ambulette.

Ambulance mainly transports injured or sick persons for treatment at a hospital. But the term ambulance is more associated with road accidents. An ambulance is fitted with flash lights, sirens and alarms.
Ambulance is derived from Latin ‘ambulare’, which means to move about or walk. The original meaning of Ambulance meant ‘moving hospital’ that followed an army. In ancient times, carts were used to transport patients.
Ambulette is just like an ambulance but these vehicles are not for any emergency needs. Unlike ambulances, ambulette is not used during life threatening situations. Though there could be flash lights fitted on an ambulette, sirens are not present as there is no need for any urgency. An ambulette is a larger than an ambulance. Moreover, an ambulette can carry more persons than an Ambulance.

Summary