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1 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 energize all UK ambulances within 15 years.

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

Health chiefs have actually declined to reveal how much the brand-new ambulances will cost, however main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million just to update the grid and electrical infrastructure required for charging points.

The MoS can also reveal there are currently just two electric-powered ambulances getting travelers in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency situation lorries for paramedics, including 2 vehicles, 16 reaction vans and 3 motorbikes.

The most current electrical ambulances have a variety of as much as 200 miles, but paramedic teams in backwoods often take a trip further in a shift.

Latest figures show the typical response time in England for the most dangerous 'category-one' ambulance calls is 7 minutes and 52 seconds - compared to an NHS target of seven minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, previous chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have actually been struggling to meet their action targets. With these difficulties it is absurd to sidetrack NHS workers from their tasks with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the first totally electrical emergency ambulance 2020

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

'Time, planning and expense are going into buying electrical automobiles and building battery chargers - a number of which will never ever be set up - instead of enhancing reaction times.

'Much more concerning is the difficulty of upgrading the grid in time to meet the extra demand.

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

England's very first electrical ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be used in metropolitan locations such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: 'Seventy percent of our location is mainly rural and this continues to be the greatest factor in our transfer to electrical - having the range to operate in areas where vehicles 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 used them to transfer guests. Another 8 will be provided to the service this year.

The Department of Health stated: 'New electrical ambulances will save the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.'

The NHS said: 'It is right we look for sustainable alternatives when they enhance patient care and conserve the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect response times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel expenses.'

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