It’s not every day that automotive publications get to cover cutting-edge medical procedures, but it’s not every day that medical procedures rely on electrical power from an EV’s onboard generators.
An Austin, Texas doctor recently performed what has to be the world’s first vasectomy powered by an electric vehicle. Urologist Dr. Christopher Yang purchased his Rivian R1T pickup truck back in May, and had been enjoying it so far in the usual ways, including on a road trip to Pikes Peak, Colorado.
On Thursday, when the power went out in his clinic’s neighbourhood, he had an opportunity to use the truck in yet another fashion. Apparently a staff member jokingly suggested using the Rivian R1T’s onboard power generator to complete a vasectomy that had been scheduled for that time.
“When talking to the patient, we mentioned that we could just reschedule the procedure itself, or, if he was up for it, we could do the vasectomy using power from the truck. And he had a good laugh as well, and we agreed,” Yang told NPR’s WGLT on Friday.
So, using a long extension cord plugged into one of the truck’s 120V sockets to power the relatively small electrocauterization tool, Yang carried out the procedure as planned, sharing a couple images of the cord running from the truck to the clinic on Twitter.
I performed what is likely the world’s first @Rivian powered vasectomy today. Power in clinic went out, patient didn’t want to reschedule cause he already had time off. Electrocautery was normal, procedure went great! #rivianstories #rivian pic.twitter.com/VLDg91r37d
— Christopher Yang (@ChrisYangMD) September 1, 2022
The truck-based workaround to the relatively routine procedure has obviously been garnering some attention online, including in the comments section beneath the enterprising doctor’s Tweet.
How many vasectomies do you think you can get on a full charge?
— Nicholas (@vtnicholas) September 2, 2022
One commenter joked that their Tesla Model Y could do it, too, but only if the doctor uses USB or 12V tools.
The F150 Lighting can save a wedding or two, but I bet it never powered a vasectomy!! $F (of course, my Tesla Model Y could only do it if the doctor uses USB or 12V tools!)
— Matt Murtha Sr (@MJMurthaSr) September 2, 2022
Comparisons to other brands’ EVs were also made…
stealing ford’s thund…oops, lightning @mrlevine 😉
— LFY (@1lisameid) September 1, 2022
And one manly individual asked if this was now a service on offer.
Are you offering this service in the future? I can’t think of anything manlier or more Texan than getting my vasectomy done powered by a pickup.
— Mr.Haze – random string of numbers (@MrHaze20321727) September 2, 2022
Ultimately, we don’t expect the medical industry to have electric vehicles like the Rivian R1T on hand for these types of situations, but now there’s at least a little precedence.
“I’m not sure that this (vasectomy) should be planned use of the truck,” Yang said, “but it’s definitely great to have that as a backup just in case.”
So you’re saying it wasn’t a…vast difference…from using utility mains power? pic.twitter.com/6w4e1ypoMP
— Eric (@EricTSEA) September 1, 2022
Keyword: Texas doctor performs vasectomy powered by Rivian electric pickup