Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' Net Zero strategy to electrify all UK ambulances within 15 years.
The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to desert all its diesel ambulances and install almost 5,000 charging points at medical facilities and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered cars.
Health chiefs have actually declined to expose how much the new ambulances will cost, however official figures seen by the Mail on Sunday expose it will cost ₤ 100million simply to update the grid and electrical infrastructure needed for charging points.
The MoS can likewise reveal there are currently simply two electric-powered ambulances getting travelers in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.
There are 160 other electrical emergency situation automobiles for paramedics, including 2 vehicles, 16 action vans and three motorcycles.
The most current electric ambulances have a series of up to 200 miles, but paramedic crews in rural locations typically take a trip even more in a shift.
Latest figures reveal the average response time in England for the most life-threatening 'category-one' ambulance calls is 7 minutes and 52 seconds - compared with an NHS target of 7 minutes.
Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have actually been having a hard time to satisfy their response targets. With these obstacles it is absurd to distract NHS employees from their jobs with unrealistic Net Zero targets.
West Midlands Ambulance service released the very first completely electric emergency situation ambulance 2020
Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' strategy to energize all UK ambulances
'Time, preparation and cost are entering into purchasing electrical automobiles and constructing battery chargers - a lot of which will never ever be installed - instead of improving response times.
'A lot more worrying is the obstacle of updating the grid in time to satisfy the extra demand.
'This is yet another case of environment policy racing ahead of technology with shocking results for clients and taxpayers.'
England's very first electrical ambulance began running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be provided this year to be utilized in urban areas such as Birmingham.
West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: 'Seventy percent of our location is generally rural and this continues to be the greatest consider our transfer to electrical - having the range to operate in locations where automobiles can do 200 in a shift.'
East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling three electrical ambulances since 2023, however has actually not utilized them to carry travelers. Another 8 will be delivered to the service this year.
The Department of Health stated: 'New electric ambulances will save the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.'
The NHS said: 'It is right we seek sustainable options when they enhance client care and save the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not impact reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.'
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Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances
dorrisbingaman edited this page 2025-06-04 02:03:10 +08:00