Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances
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Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with 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 practically 5,000 charging points at medical facilities 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 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 vehicles for paramedics, including two cars, 16 reaction vans and 3 motorbikes.

The ambulances have a range of approximately 200 miles, but paramedic teams in backwoods typically travel even more in a shift.

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

Last night Nick Timothy MP, previous chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have been having a hard time to fulfill their action targets. With these obstacles it is absurd to sidetrack NHS workers from their tasks with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' plan to electrify all UK ambulances

'Time, planning and expenditure are going into purchasing electrical automobiles and building battery chargers - much of which will never ever be installed - instead of enhancing response times.

'Even more worrying is the obstacle of updating the grid in time to meet the additional need.

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

England's first electrical ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be provided this year to be utilized in city areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our area is generally rural and this continues to be the biggest consider our relocate to electric - having the variety to run in areas where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling 3 electric ambulances since 2023, but has not utilized them to transfer travelers. Another eight will be delivered to the service this year.

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

The NHS stated: 'It is right we look for sustainable alternatives when they improve patient care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.'

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS