Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' Net Zero plan to amaze 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 to power a fleet of electric-powered vehicles.
Health chiefs have actually refused to expose how much the new ambulances will cost, however main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million just to upgrade the grid and electrical infrastructure required for charging points.
The MoS can also reveal there are presently just 2 electric-powered ambulances getting guests in England - compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.
There are 160 other electrical emergency situation vehicles for paramedics, consisting of 2 vehicles, 16 response vans and three motorbikes.
The current electric ambulances have a variety of approximately 200 miles, however paramedic teams in backwoods often take a trip even more in a shift.
Latest figures show the typical action time in England for the most lethal '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 personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have actually been struggling to satisfy their action targets. With these difficulties it is ridiculous to distract NHS employees from their tasks with unrealistic Net Zero targets.
West Midlands Ambulance service launched the first fully electrical emergency ambulance 2020
Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' plan to energize all UK ambulances
'Time, planning and cost are entering into purchasing electric automobiles and constructing battery chargers - many of which will never be installed - rather of enhancing reaction times.
'Much more worrying is the obstacle of upgrading the grid in time to fulfill the additional demand.
'This is yet another case of environment policy racing ahead of innovation with stunning results for patients and taxpayers.'
England's first electric ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be provided this year to be utilized in urban areas such as Birmingham.
West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: 'Seventy percent of our location is mainly rural and this continues to be the greatest consider our relocate to electric - having the variety to run in locations where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'
East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling 3 electrical ambulances because 2023, however has actually not used them to transfer guests. Another eight 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 seek sustainable options when they improve patient care and conserve the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect response times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.'
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Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances
lesleyrotton70 edited this page 2025-06-04 07:55:02 +00:00