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Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' Net Zero strategy to energize 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 how much the brand-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 infrastructure required for charging points.

The MoS can likewise 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 electric emergency vehicles for paramedics, consisting of 2 cars and trucks, 16 response vans and three motorbikes.

The current electrical ambulances have a series of up to 200 miles, but paramedic teams in backwoods typically travel further in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the typical action time in England for the most life-threatening '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, stated: 'Ambulance services have been having a hard time to meet their reaction targets. With these difficulties it is ridiculous to sidetrack NHS workers from their tasks with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the first fully electrical emergency situation ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' plan to amaze all UK ambulances

'Time, planning and expense are entering into purchasing electric automobiles and building battery chargers - numerous of which will never be set up - instead of times.

'Much more concerning is the difficulty of updating the grid in time to meet the extra demand.

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

England's 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 per cent of our area is primarily rural and this continues to be the biggest element in our transfer to electric - having the range to operate in locations where cars can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling 3 electric ambulances given that 2023, however has not used them to transfer travelers. Another eight will be delivered to the service this year.

The Department of Health said: 'New electrical ambulances will conserve the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.'

The NHS stated: 'It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they improve client care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not impact reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel costs.'

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