Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances

Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced 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 set up almost 5,000 charging points at medical facilities and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered vehicles.

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

The MoS can likewise expose there are presently simply two electric-powered ambulances getting guests in England – compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency situation lorries for paramedics, consisting of two cars and trucks, 16 reaction vans and 3 motorbikes.

The current electrical ambulances have a range of up to 200 miles, however paramedic teams in backwoods typically travel further in a shift.

Latest figures show the typical response time in England for the most lethal ‘category-one’ ambulance calls is 7 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, stated: ‘Ambulance services have actually been having a hard time to fulfill their action targets. With these obstacles it is ridiculous to sidetrack NHS employees from their tasks with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

faced calls last night to ditch the ‘unreasonable’ plan to energize all UK ambulances

‘Time, preparation and cost are entering into purchasing electrical vehicles and developing battery chargers – a lot of which will never ever be set up – rather of improving reaction times.

‘Even more worrying is the challenge of updating the grid in time to meet the additional demand.

‘This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of innovation with stunning outcomes for clients and taxpayers.’

England’s very first electric ambulance started running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be used in metropolitan areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: ‘Seventy percent of our area is mainly rural and this continues to be the most significant aspect in our relocate to electric – having the range to run in areas where cars can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.’

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electrical ambulances considering that 2023, however has not used them to transfer travelers. Another 8 will be provided to the service this year.

The Department of Health stated: ‘New electric ambulances will conserve the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.’

The NHS said: ‘It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they improve client care and save the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not impact reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel expenses.’

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