Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' Net Zero plan to amaze 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 hospitals and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered cars.
Health chiefs have refused to expose how much the brand-new ambulances will cost, however 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 also expose there are presently just two electric-powered ambulances choosing up passengers in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.
There are 160 other electrical emergency cars for paramedics, including 2 cars and trucks, 16 response vans and 3 motorbikes.
The latest electrical ambulances have a variety of approximately 200 miles, however paramedic teams in rural areas typically travel even more in a shift.
Latest figures reveal the average reaction 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, previous chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have been struggling to fulfill their action 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 totally electrical emergency situation ambulance 2020
Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' strategy to electrify all UK ambulances
'Time, planning and expenditure are going into automobiles and developing battery chargers - a number of which will never be set up - rather of improving reaction times.
'Even more worrying is the obstacle of upgrading the grid in time to meet the additional demand.
'This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of technology with stunning outcomes for clients and taxpayers.'
England's first electrical ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be used in urban areas such as Birmingham.
West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: 'Seventy percent of our location is primarily rural and this continues to be the greatest factor in our move to electrical - having the variety to operate in locations where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'
East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling 3 electrical ambulances because 2023, but has not utilized them to transport guests. Another eight will be delivered to the service this year.
The Department of Health stated: 'New electric 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 save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect action times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel expenses.'
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Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances
luigicosh9314 edited this page 2025-06-05 11:23:12 +00:00