Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances

Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' Net Zero strategy to electrify 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 hospitals 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 official figures seen by the Mail on Sunday expose it will cost ₤ 100million just to update the grid and electrical infrastructure needed for charging points.

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

There are 160 other electric emergency automobiles for paramedics, including 2 vehicles, 16 reaction vans and three motorcycles.

The current electrical ambulances have a series of approximately 200 miles, however paramedic crews in rural locations often take a trip further in a shift.

Latest figures show the average reaction time in England for the most lethal 'category-one' ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds - compared with an NHS target of seven 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 action targets. With these challenges it is absurd to distract NHS workers from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service launched the first totally electric emergency situation ambulance 2020

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

'Time, planning and expenditure are entering into buying electric automobiles and building chargers - a lot of which will never ever be set up - instead of enhancing reaction times.

'A lot more concerning is the difficulty of updating the grid in time to the extra need.

'This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of technology with shocking results for patients and taxpayers.'

England's first electrical ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be provided this year to be used in urban locations such as Birmingham.

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

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electrical ambulances because 2023, but has actually not utilized them to carry guests. Another 8 will be delivered to the service this year.

The Department of Health stated: '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 improve patient care and save the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not affect response times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel expenses.'

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