Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' Net Zero strategy to amaze all UK ambulances within 15 years.
Health chiefs have declined to reveal just how much the new ambulances will cost, however main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million just to update the grid and electrical infrastructure needed for charging points.
The MoS can also expose there are currently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances selecting up guests in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.
There are 160 other electrical emergency cars for paramedics, including two automobiles, 16 action vans and 3 motorcycles.
The most recent electrical ambulances have a variety of up to 200 miles, however paramedic teams in rural locations frequently travel further in a shift.
Latest figures show the average reaction 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.
Last night Nick Timothy MP, previous chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have been having a hard time to satisfy their action targets. With these obstacles it is absurd to sidetrack NHS employees from their tasks with unrealistic Net Zero targets.
West Midlands Ambulance service launched the first totally electrical emergency ambulance 2020
Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' strategy to energize all UK ambulances
'Time, planning and expenditure are going into buying electric vehicles and building chargers - much of which will never ever be installed - rather of enhancing action times.
'A lot more worrying is the obstacle 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 first electric ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be provided this year to be used in urban locations such as Birmingham.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our area is generally rural and this continues to be the greatest aspect in our relocation to electric - having the variety to run in areas where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'
East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electrical ambulances considering that 2023, however has not utilized them to transfer passengers. Another 8 will be delivered to the service 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 alternatives when they enhance patient care and conserve the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect action times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel expenses.'
Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS
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