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 electrify all UK ambulances within 15 years.

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to desert all its diesel ambulances and set up nearly 5,000 charging points at hospitals and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered vehicles.

Health chiefs have declined to expose how much the new ambulances will cost, however official figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million simply to upgrade the grid and electrical facilities required for charging points.

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

There are 160 other electric emergency lorries for paramedics, consisting of two cars, 16 action vans and 3 motorbikes.

The current electric ambulances have a series of up to 200 miles, however paramedic crews in rural locations typically travel further in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the typical reaction time in England for the most deadly ‘category-one’ ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds – compared to an NHS target of 7 minutes.

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

West Midlands Ambulance service released the very first completely electric emergency situation ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the ‘ridiculous’ plan to energize all UK ambulances

‘Time, planning and cost are entering into purchasing electric automobiles and developing chargers – much of which will never ever be installed – rather of improving action times.

‘Much more worrying is the challenge of updating the grid in time to satisfy the additional need.

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

England’s very first electrical ambulance started operating 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 per cent of our area is mainly rural and this continues to be the greatest factor in our move to electric – having the variety to operate in locations where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.’

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling three electrical ambulances because 2023, but has not used them to transfer travelers. Another eight will be delivered 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 options when they improve patient care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not impact action times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel expenses.’

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