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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 'absurd' Net Zero strategy to energize all UK ambulances within 15 years.

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

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

The MoS can also expose there are presently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances getting travelers in England - compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electric emergency situation cars for paramedics, including two vehicles, 16 response vans and 3 motorcycles.

The newest electric ambulances have a variety of up to 200 miles, but paramedic teams in backwoods 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 seven minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have actually been struggling to meet their response targets. With these challenges it is ridiculous to sidetrack NHS employees from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' strategy to electrify all UK ambulances

'Time, planning and expense are going into buying electric lorries and constructing battery chargers - a lot of which will never be set up - instead of enhancing response times.

'Even more worrying is the obstacle of upgrading the grid in time to meet the extra demand.

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

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

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy per cent of our location is generally rural and this continues to be the biggest factor in our transfer to electric - having the range to run in locations where lorries can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling 3 electric ambulances since 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 stated: 'It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they enhance patient care and conserve the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel expenses.'

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS