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

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to abandon all its diesel ambulances and install practically 5,000 charging points at health centers and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered lorries.

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

The MoS can likewise reveal there are currently just two electric-powered ambulances picking up passengers in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electric emergency situation vehicles for paramedics, including two automobiles, 16 reaction vans and 3 motorbikes.

The most current electrical ambulances have a variety of up to 200 miles, but paramedic teams in rural locations frequently take a trip even more in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the average action time in England for the most lethal '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 personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have been having a hard time to satisfy their reaction targets. With these difficulties it is absurd to distract NHS workers from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

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

'Time, planning and expenditure are entering into buying electric lorries and building battery chargers - a lot of which will never ever be set up - rather of enhancing action times.

'Even more worrying is the obstacle of updating the grid in time to meet the extra demand.

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

England's very first electrical ambulance began running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be utilized in city locations such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our area is generally rural and this continues to be the biggest aspect in our relocate to having the range to run in locations where cars can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling 3 electric ambulances considering that 2023, but has actually not utilized them to transport passengers. 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 said: 'It is right we look for sustainable options when they improve client care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not impact response times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel expenses.'

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