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

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

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

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

There are 160 other electrical emergency situation cars for paramedics, consisting of 2 automobiles, 16 reaction vans and 3 motorcycles.

The most recent electric ambulances have a variety of approximately 200 miles, however paramedic crews in backwoods frequently take a trip even more in a shift.

Latest figures reveal 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 7 minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, previous chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: 'Ambulance services have been struggling to satisfy their response targets. With these difficulties it is unreasonable to sidetrack NHS workers from their jobs 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 'unreasonable' strategy to energize all UK ambulances

'Time, preparation and expenditure are going into buying electric cars and building battery chargers - a lot of which will never ever be set up - instead of improving action times.

'Even more concerning is the challenge 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 first electrical ambulance began running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be used in metropolitan areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our location is primarily rural and this continues to be the biggest element in our relocate to electric - having the range to operate in areas where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

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

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

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS