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

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

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

The MoS can also expose there are presently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances selecting up travelers in England - compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

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

The most recent electrical ambulances have a series of up to 200 miles, but paramedic teams in rural locations frequently travel even more in a shift.

Latest figures show the typical action 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, previous chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have been having a hard time to satisfy their response targets. With these challenges it is ridiculous to sidetrack NHS workers from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

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

'Time, planning and expense are entering into buying electric automobiles and developing battery chargers - a number of which will never ever be set up - rather of enhancing action times.

'Even more worrying is the difficulty of upgrading 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 clients and taxpayers.'

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

West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: 'Seventy percent of our area is primarily rural and this continues to be the most significant consider our transfer to electric - having the range to run in locations where cars can do 200 in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling three electric ambulances because 2023, but has not utilized them to transfer guests. Another 8 will be provided 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 conserve the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not impact reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel expenses.'

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