Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances

Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the ‘absurd’ Net Zero plan to energize all UK ambulances within 15 years.
The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to desert all its diesel ambulances and set up almost 5,000 charging points at hospitals and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered lorries.
Health chiefs have declined to reveal just how much the brand-new ambulances will cost, however official figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million simply to update the grid and electrical facilities needed for charging points.
The MoS can also reveal there are presently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances getting passengers in England – compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.
There are 160 other electrical emergency vehicles for paramedics, consisting of 2 cars, 16 action vans and three motorcycles.
The latest electric ambulances have a variety of up to 200 miles, but paramedic crews in backwoods typically travel further in a shift.
Latest figures reveal the typical action time in England for the most dangerous ‘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, said: ‘Ambulance services have actually been struggling to fulfill their response targets. With these challenges it is absurd to sidetrack NHS employees from their jobs 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 ‘unreasonable’ plan to electrify all UK ambulances
‘Time, preparation and cost are going into buying electric vehicles and constructing battery chargers – a number of which will never ever be set up – rather of improving reaction times.
‘Even more concerning is the obstacle of updating the grid in time to fulfill the additional demand.
‘This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of innovation with stunning results for clients and taxpayers.’
England’s first electrical ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be delivered this year to be utilized in metropolitan locations such as Birmingham.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said: percent of our location is mainly rural and this continues to be the biggest factor in our transfer to electrical – having the range to operate in areas where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.’
East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling three electrical ambulances given that 2023, but has actually not utilized them to carry guests. Another 8 will be provided to the service this year.
The Department of Health stated: ‘New electric ambulances will save the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.’
The NHS stated: ‘It is right we look for sustainable alternatives when they enhance client care and save the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not affect action times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.’
Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS