Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' Net Zero strategy to electrify all UK ambulances within 15 years.

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to desert all its diesel ambulances and set up practically 5,000 charging points at medical facilities and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered cars.

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 infrastructure needed for charging points.

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

There are 160 other electric emergency lorries for paramedics, consisting of two vehicles, 16 response vans and three motorbikes.

The newest electric ambulances have a series of up to 200 miles, however paramedic teams in rural areas frequently take a trip further in a shift.

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

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

West Midlands Ambulance service released the first totally electrical emergency ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' strategy to amaze all UK ambulances

'Time, planning and expense are going into buying electrical cars and developing battery chargers - much of which will never be set up - instead of enhancing action times.

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

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

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

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

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling 3 electrical ambulances because 2023, however has not utilized them to transfer passengers. Another 8 will be provided to the this year.

The Department of Health stated: 'New electrical ambulances will save the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.'

The NHS said: 'It is right we seek sustainable options when they enhance patient care and save the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not affect response times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel expenses.'

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS