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

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

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

The MoS can likewise expose there are currently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances getting passengers in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electric emergency automobiles for paramedics, consisting of 2 vehicles, 16 action vans and 3 motorcycles.

The most current electric ambulances have a variety of up to 200 miles, however paramedic crews in backwoods frequently take a trip further in a shift.

Latest figures show the typical reaction time in England for the most dangerous 'category-one' ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds - compared to an NHS target of seven minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have actually been struggling to fulfill their action targets. With these it is unreasonable to sidetrack NHS employees from their tasks with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the very first totally electrical emergency situation ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' plan to energize all UK ambulances

'Time, planning and cost are entering into buying electric vehicles and building chargers - much of which will never ever be installed - rather of enhancing response times.

'Much more concerning is the difficulty of updating the grid in time to meet the additional need.

'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 began running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be utilized in metropolitan areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our area is primarily rural and this continues to be the biggest element in our transfer to electric - having the range to operate in locations 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 transport guests. Another 8 will be provided 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 said: 'It is right we look for sustainable options when they improve client care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not affect reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel expenses.'

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