Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances

Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the ‘ridiculous’ Net Zero plan to amaze all UK ambulances within 15 years.

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

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

The MoS can also expose there are presently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances picking up guests in England – compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency automobiles for paramedics, consisting of two cars and trucks, 16 action vans and three motorcycles.

The most current electrical ambulances have a series of up to 200 miles, however paramedic teams in backwoods typically take a trip further in a shift.

Latest figures show 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, former chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: ‘Ambulance services have actually been having a hard time to satisfy their reaction targets. With these difficulties it is absurd to distract NHS employees from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the very first fully electric emergency situation ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the ‘absurd’ plan to energize all UK ambulances

‘Time, planning and cost are entering into buying electrical lorries and constructing battery chargers – many of which will never ever be installed – rather of improving response times.

‘Much more concerning 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 innovation with shocking outcomes for patients and taxpayers.’

very first electric ambulance began running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be provided this year to be utilized in metropolitan 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 transfer to electric – having the range to run in areas where lorries can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.’

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

The Department of Health said: ‘New electric ambulances will conserve 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 action times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel costs.’

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