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

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

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

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

There are 160 other electrical emergency lorries for paramedics, including two cars, 16 response vans and 3 motorcycles.

The current electric ambulances have a variety of approximately 200 miles, but paramedic teams in rural areas typically take a trip further in a shift.

Latest figures show the average response 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 personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have been having a hard time to meet their action 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 totally electric emergency ambulance 2020

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

'Time, preparation and expenditure are going into buying electrical lorries and building battery chargers - a number of which will never ever be set up - rather of enhancing action times.

'Even more is the challenge of updating the grid in time to fulfill the extra need.

'This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of technology with shocking outcomes for patients and taxpayers.'

England's first electrical ambulance started running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be provided this year to be utilized in metropolitan areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our area is mainly rural and this continues to be the most significant factor in our transfer to electrical - having the range to operate in locations where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electrical ambulances since 2023, but has actually not used them to transfer travelers. Another 8 will be delivered to the service this year.

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

The NHS stated: 'It is right we look for sustainable options when they enhance client care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect action times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.'

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