Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced 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 abandon all its diesel ambulances and set up practically 5,000 charging points at hospitals and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered cars.

Health chiefs have declined to reveal how much the brand-new ambulances will cost, but main 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 reveal there are presently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances getting passengers in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electric emergency lorries for paramedics, including 2 automobiles, 16 response vans and three motorbikes.

The current electrical ambulances have a range of approximately 200 miles, however paramedic crews in rural areas typically travel further in a shift.

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

Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of personnel to Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have actually been having a hard time to satisfy their action targets. With these challenges it is absurd to distract NHS workers from their jobs with unrealistic Net Zero targets.

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

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

'Time, preparation and expenditure are going into buying electric vehicles and developing chargers - numerous of which will never ever be set up - rather of enhancing response times.

'A lot more concerning 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 results for patients and taxpayers.'

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

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy per cent of our location is mainly rural and this continues to be the greatest aspect in our relocate to electrical - having the range to run in locations where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling three electric ambulances given that 2023, but has actually not used them to transport guests. Another 8 will be delivered to the service this year.

The Department of Health stated: '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 patient care and conserve the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect action times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel costs.'

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