Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' Net Zero strategy to energize all UK ambulances within 15 years.
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The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to abandon all its diesel ambulances and set up practically 5,000 charging points at medical facilities and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered automobiles.
Health chiefs have actually declined to expose how much the new ambulances will cost, but main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million simply to upgrade the grid and electrical infrastructure needed for charging points.
The MoS can also reveal there are presently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances getting passengers in England - compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.
There are 160 other electrical emergency vehicles for paramedics, including 2 automobiles, 16 reaction vans and three motorbikes.
The newest electrical ambulances have a series of as much as 200 miles, but paramedic crews in backwoods often take a trip further in a shift.
Latest figures reveal the typical response time in England for the most life-threatening 'category-one' ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds - compared to an NHS target of 7 minutes.
Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have actually been struggling to meet their response targets. With these challenges it is ridiculous to distract NHS workers from their tasks with unrealistic Net Zero targets.
West Midlands Ambulance service released the first completely electrical emergency situation ambulance 2020
Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' strategy to electrify all UK ambulances
'Time, planning and cost are going into purchasing electrical vehicles and building battery chargers - much of which will never ever be installed - instead of improving reaction times.
'Much more concerning is the difficulty of updating the grid in time to fulfill the additional demand.
'This is yet another case of environment policy racing ahead of technology with shocking outcomes for clients and taxpayers.'
England's very first electric ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be utilized in city locations such as Birmingham.
West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: 'Seventy per cent of our location is generally rural and this continues to be the most significant factor in our move to electric - having the variety to operate in areas where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'
East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling 3 electrical ambulances considering that 2023, however has actually not utilized them to transport travelers. 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 stated: 'It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not impact reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.'
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Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances
carin592430862 edited this page 2025-07-10 20:33:06 +00:00