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

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to desert all its diesel ambulances and install practically 5,000 charging points at hospitals and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered automobiles.

Health chiefs have refused to expose how much the new ambulances will cost, but official figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million simply to update the grid and electrical facilities needed for charging points.

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

There are 160 other electric emergency situation automobiles for paramedics, consisting of two vehicles, 16 response vans and 3 motorbikes.

The most recent electrical ambulances have a series of up to 200 miles, but paramedic crews in backwoods typically travel even more in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the average reaction time in England for the most lethal 'category-one' ambulance calls is 7 minutes and 52 seconds - compared with an NHS target of 7 minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have been struggling to meet their response targets. With these obstacles it is ridiculous to sidetrack NHS workers from their tasks with unrealistic Net Zero targets.

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

Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' plan to electrify all UK ambulances

'Time, preparation and cost are going into buying electrical automobiles and constructing battery chargers - a number of which will never be set up - instead of improving response times.

'Much more worrying is the challenge of updating the grid in time to fulfill the additional demand.

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

England's first electrical ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be delivered this year to be used in city areas such as Birmingham.

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

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electric ambulances given that 2023, but has not utilized them to transfer guests. Another eight will be provided 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 options when they enhance client care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.'

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS