Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' Net Zero plan 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 health centers and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered lorries.

Health chiefs have refused to reveal how much the brand-new ambulances will cost, however main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday expose it will cost ₤ 100million simply to upgrade the grid and electrical facilities required for charging points.

The MoS can likewise expose there are presently just 2 electric-powered ambulances picking up guests in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency lorries for paramedics, consisting of 2 cars and trucks, 16 action vans and 3 motorcycles.

The newest electrical ambulances have a range of up to 200 miles, however paramedic teams in rural areas often take a trip even more in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the average reaction time in England for the most lethal '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, said: 'Ambulance services have been struggling to satisfy their reaction targets. With these obstacles it is unreasonable to distract NHS workers from their jobs with unrealistic Net Zero targets.

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

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' strategy to electrify all UK ambulances

'Time, preparation and cost are entering into purchasing electrical lorries and building battery chargers - a lot of which will never ever be installed - instead of enhancing response times.

'Much more worrying is the difficulty of updating the grid in time to meet the extra need.

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

England's very first electric ambulance began running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be utilized in city areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy per cent of our location is mainly rural and this continues to be the greatest element in our move to electric - having the range to run in areas where cars can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

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

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

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

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS