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Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' Net Zero plan to electrify all UK ambulances within 15 years.

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to abandon all its diesel ambulances and install practically 5,000 charging points at healthcare facilities and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered vehicles.

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

The MoS can likewise expose there are presently just 2 electric-powered ambulances selecting up guests in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electric emergency situation automobiles for paramedics, consisting of two automobiles, 16 action vans and three motorcycles.

The most recent electric ambulances have a range of up to 200 miles, however paramedic crews in rural areas often travel further in a shift.

Latest figures show the typical action 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, former chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have been struggling to fulfill their response targets. With these obstacles it is ridiculous to sidetrack NHS employees from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the first fully electric emergency situation ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' plan to amaze all UK ambulances

'Time, planning and expenditure are entering into purchasing electric lorries and constructing chargers - numerous of which will never be installed - rather of improving action times.

'A lot more worrying is the challenge of updating the grid in time to meet the additional need.

'This is yet another case of racing ahead of technology with shocking results for patients and taxpayers.'

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

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our location is mainly rural and this continues to be the greatest factor in our relocate to electric - having the range to run in areas where lorries can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

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

The Department of Health said: 'New electrical 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 improve patient care and save the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not impact action times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel expenses.'

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