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 amaze 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 health centers and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered lorries.

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

The MoS can also reveal there are currently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances choosing up passengers in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency situation automobiles for paramedics, including 2 automobiles, 16 action vans and 3 motorcycles.

The most recent electrical ambulances have a range of as much as 200 miles, but paramedic crews in backwoods typically take a trip further in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the typical action time in England for the most dangerous '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 staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have actually been struggling to fulfill their action targets. With these challenges it is absurd to distract NHS employees from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the first totally electric emergency ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' plan to amaze all UK ambulances

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

'Even more worrying is the challenge of updating the grid in time to satisfy the extra need.

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

England's first electrical ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be delivered this year to be utilized in city areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our location is primarily rural and this continues to be the greatest consider our relocate to electrical - having the variety to run in areas where cars can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling 3 electric ambulances since 2023, however has not used them to carry guests. Another 8 will be provided to the service this year.

The Department of Health said: 'New electrical ambulances will conserve the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.'

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

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