<br>Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the ‘absurd’ Net Zero plan to amaze all UK ambulances within 15 years.<br>
<br>The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to desert all its diesel ambulances and set up nearly 5,000 charging points at health centers and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered cars.<br>
<br>Health chiefs have declined to expose just how much the new ambulances will cost, however main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million just to upgrade the grid and electrical facilities required for charging points.<br>
<br>The MoS can also reveal there are presently simply two electric-powered ambulances choosing up guests in England – compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.<br>
<br>There are 160 other electric emergency situation lorries for paramedics, consisting of 2 cars, 16 action vans and 3 motorcycles.<br>
<br>The current electrical ambulances have a variety of up to 200 miles, but paramedic teams in backwoods often take a trip even more in a shift.<br>
<br>Latest figures show the typical action time in England for the most life-threatening ‘category-one’ ambulance calls is 7 minutes and 52 seconds – compared to an NHS target of 7 minutes.<br>
<br>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 obstacles it is absurd to distract NHS workers from their jobs with unrealistic Net Zero targets.<br>
<br>West Midlands Ambulance service released the first totally electric emergency situation ambulance 2020<br>
<br>Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the ‘unreasonable’ plan to electrify all UK ambulances<br>
<br>’Time, preparation and expenditure are entering into purchasing electrical cars and developing battery chargers – a lot of which will never ever be set up – instead of enhancing action times.<br>
<br>’Even more worrying is the difficulty of updating the grid in time to satisfy the extra demand.<br>
<br>’This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of technology with stunning outcomes for clients and taxpayers.'<br>
<br>England’s very first electrical ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be provided this year to be used in urban locations such as Birmingham.<br>
<br>West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: ‘Seventy percent of our area is primarily rural and this continues to be the greatest aspect in our to electric – having the range to operate in areas where lorries can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'<br>
<br>East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling 3 electric ambulances since 2023, but has not used them to carry guests. Another 8 will be provided to the service this year.<br>
<br>The Department of Health said: ‘New electrical ambulances will conserve the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.'<br>
<br>The NHS said: ‘It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they improve client care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not impact reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.'<br>
<br>Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS<br>
