Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' 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 almost 5,000 charging points at hospitals and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered cars.

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

The MoS can also expose there are currently just two electric-powered ambulances getting travelers in England - compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electric emergency situation automobiles for paramedics, consisting of two automobiles, 16 response vans and three motorcycles.

The most recent electrical ambulances have a series of approximately 200 miles, however paramedic teams in rural areas typically take a trip further in a shift.

Latest figures show the typical response time in England for the most deadly 'category-one' ambulance calls is 7 minutes and 52 seconds - compared with 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 actually been having a hard time to fulfill their action targets. With these obstacles it is unreasonable to sidetrack NHS employees from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

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

'Time, preparation and expense are entering into purchasing electric lorries and developing chargers - much of which will never be installed - rather of improving response times.

'Even more concerning is the challenge of updating the grid in time to satisfy the additional demand.

'This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of technology with stunning results for clients and taxpayers.'

first electrical ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be provided this year to be used in metropolitan areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: 'Seventy percent of our area is generally rural and this continues to be the biggest consider our move to electrical - having the variety to operate in locations where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling three electrical ambulances since 2023, however has actually not used them to transfer travelers. Another 8 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 look for sustainable alternatives when they enhance client care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not impact action times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel costs.'

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS