Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances

Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the ‚absurd‘ Net Zero strategy to electrify all UK ambulances within 15 years.

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to abandon all its diesel ambulances and install almost 5,000 charging points at hospitals and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered lorries.

Health chiefs have declined to expose just how much the new ambulances will cost, but main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million simply to update the grid and electrical infrastructure needed for charging points.

The MoS can likewise expose there are currently just 2 electric-powered ambulances getting guests in England – compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electric emergency situation cars for paramedics, 2 cars and trucks, 16 reaction vans and 3 motorcycles.

The most current electric ambulances have a variety of up to 200 miles, however paramedic crews in backwoods frequently travel even more in a shift.

Latest figures show the typical response time in England for the most dangerous ‚category-one‘ ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds – compared with an NHS target of seven minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, previous chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: ‚Ambulance services have been struggling to satisfy their reaction targets. With these difficulties it is unreasonable to distract NHS workers from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service released the very first completely electrical emergency situation ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the ‚unreasonable‘ plan to energize all UK ambulances

‚Time, preparation and cost are entering into buying electrical automobiles and constructing chargers – much of which will never ever be set up – rather of improving reaction times.

‚Much more worrying is the difficulty of updating the grid in time to fulfill the extra demand.

‚This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of innovation with stunning results for patients and taxpayers.‘

England’s first electric ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be provided this year to be utilized in city areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: ‚Seventy percent of our location is primarily rural and this continues to be the most significant consider our relocate to electric – having the range to operate in locations where cars can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.‘

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling three electrical ambulances since 2023, but has not utilized them to carry guests. Another 8 will be delivered to the service this year.

The Department of Health said: ‚New electric ambulances will save the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.‘

The NHS said: ‚It is right we look for sustainable options when they enhance client care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not affect reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel expenses.‘

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