Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with 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 install nearly 5,000 charging points at medical facilities and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered automobiles.

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

The MoS can also expose there are presently simply two electric-powered ambulances selecting up passengers in England - compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency cars for paramedics, consisting of two cars and trucks, 16 response vans and 3 motorcycles.

The latest electric ambulances have a variety of approximately 200 miles, but paramedic crews in rural locations typically travel even more in a shift.

Latest figures show the average reaction time in England for the most life-threatening 'category-one' ambulance calls is seven 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 actually been struggling to fulfill their response targets. With these obstacles it is unreasonable to distract NHS workers from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

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

'Time, preparation and expense are entering into buying electrical automobiles and - much of which will never ever be installed - rather of enhancing response 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 climate policy racing ahead of technology with shocking outcomes for clients and taxpayers.'

England's very first electric ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be delivered this year to be utilized in metropolitan areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: 'Seventy percent of our location is generally rural and this continues to be the greatest consider our relocate to electrical - having the variety to run in locations where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electrical ambulances considering that 2023, but has actually not used them to transfer travelers. 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 said: 'It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they improve client care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not impact action times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel costs.'

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