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

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

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

The MoS can likewise reveal there are presently just two electric-powered ambulances getting travelers in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electric emergency situation automobiles for paramedics, consisting of two vehicles, 16 action vans and three motorbikes.

The latest electrical ambulances have a series of up to 200 miles, but paramedic crews in backwoods often take a trip even more in a shift.

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

Last night Nick Timothy MP, previous chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have been having a hard time to fulfill their response targets. With these challenges it is unreasonable to distract NHS employees from their tasks with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service launched the very first fully electric emergency situation ambulance 2020

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

'Time, planning and expense are going into buying electrical vehicles and building chargers - a number of which will never be set up - instead of enhancing reaction times.

'Much more concerning 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 very first electrical ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be utilized in urban areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy per cent of our area is primarily rural and this continues to be the greatest consider our transfer to electric - having the variety to operate in locations where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electrical ambulances because 2023, but has actually not utilized them to transfer passengers. Another 8 will be provided to the service this year.

The Department of Health stated: '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 alternatives when they enhance client care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not impact action times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel expenses.'

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