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

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

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

The MoS can likewise expose there are currently just 2 electric-powered ambulances selecting up guests in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electric emergency lorries for paramedics, consisting of two cars, 16 reaction vans and three motorcycles.

The current electrical ambulances have a variety of as much as 200 miles, but paramedic crews in backwoods often travel even more in a shift.

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

Last night Nick Timothy MP, previous chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have been struggling to meet their response targets. With these difficulties it is ridiculous to sidetrack NHS employees from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

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

'Time, preparation and cost are entering into purchasing electrical lorries and constructing battery chargers - a number of which will never be set up - instead of enhancing response times.

'A lot more concerning is the difficulty of updating the grid in time to meet the extra demand.

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

England's first electric ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be provided this year to be used in urban areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: 'Seventy per cent of our location is primarily rural and this continues to be the greatest element in our relocate 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 electric ambulances given that 2023, however has actually not used them to transport travelers. Another eight will be delivered 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 stated: 'It is right we seek sustainable options when they improve client care and conserve the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect response times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel costs.'

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