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 strategy to energize all UK ambulances within 15 years.

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to desert all its diesel ambulances and install nearly 5,000 charging points at health centers and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered automobiles.

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

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

There are 160 other electric emergency situation automobiles for paramedics, consisting of 2 automobiles, 16 response vans and three motorcycles.

The current electric ambulances have a series of approximately 200 miles, but paramedic teams in rural locations often travel further in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the average action time in England for the most lethal ‘category-one’ ambulance calls is 7 minutes and 52 seconds – compared to 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 been struggling to meet their response targets. With these challenges it is unreasonable to sidetrack NHS employees from their tasks with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

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

‘Time, preparation and cost are going into buying electric automobiles and developing chargers – a number of which will never be installed – instead of enhancing action times.

‘Much more worrying is the difficulty of updating the grid in time to fulfill the extra need.

‘This is yet another case of environment policy racing ahead of technology with shocking results for patients and taxpayers.’

England’s first electrical ambulance started running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be used in city areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: ‘Seventy percent of our area is primarily rural and this continues to be the greatest consider our relocate to electric – having the variety to operate in locations where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.’

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electric ambulances since 2023, but has actually not used them to transport passengers. Another eight will be provided to the service this year.

The Department of Health stated: ‘New electric ambulances will save the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in .’

The NHS said: ‘It is right we seek sustainable options when they enhance patient care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not impact reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.’

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