Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances

Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' Net Zero plan to amaze all UK ambulances within 15 years.

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to desert all its diesel ambulances and set up almost 5,000 charging points at medical facilities and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered cars.

Health chiefs have refused to reveal how much the new ambulances will cost, but official figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million simply to upgrade the grid and electrical facilities needed for charging points.

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

There are 160 other electric emergency situation cars for paramedics, consisting of 2 automobiles, 16 action vans and 3 motorbikes.

The most recent electrical ambulances have a series of up to 200 miles, however paramedic crews in backwoods typically travel further in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the average response time in England for the most dangerous 'category-one' ambulance calls is 7 minutes and 52 seconds - compared with an NHS target of seven minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have been having a hard time to meet their response targets. With these difficulties it is ridiculous to distract NHS workers from their tasks with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' strategy to energize all UK ambulances

'Time, planning and expenditure are entering into purchasing electrical vehicles and constructing chargers - a lot of which will never ever be installed - instead of enhancing response times.

'Even more worrying is the obstacle of updating the grid in time to fulfill the additional demand.

'This is yet another case of environment policy racing ahead of technology with stunning results for clients and taxpayers.'

England's very first electric ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be provided this year to be used in city locations such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our location is mainly rural and this continues to be the biggest consider our move to electrical - having the range to run in locations where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electrical ambulances given that 2023, however has actually not utilized them to carry passengers. Another 8 will be provided 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 stated: 'It is right we look for sustainable options when they improve patient care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not affect reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel expenses.'

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