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

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to desert 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 actually refused to expose just how much the new ambulances will cost, but main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday expose it will cost ₤ 100million just to update the grid and electrical facilities needed for charging points.

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

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

The newest electric ambulances have a variety of as much as 200 miles, however paramedic crews in backwoods often take a trip further in a shift.

Latest figures show the typical response time in England for the most deadly 'category-one' ambulance calls is seven 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, stated: 'Ambulance services have been having a hard time to satisfy their reaction targets. With these it is absurd to sidetrack NHS workers from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

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

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' plan to electrify all UK ambulances

'Time, planning and cost are entering into buying electrical automobiles and constructing battery chargers - many of which will never ever be installed - rather of enhancing reaction times.

'Even more worrying is the challenge of updating the grid in time to meet the additional need.

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

England's very first electrical ambulance started running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be provided this year to be used in urban areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our location is mainly rural and this continues to be the most significant aspect in our transfer to electric - having the variety to run in areas where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling 3 electric ambulances considering that 2023, but has not used them to transfer travelers. 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 conserve the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect action times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel expenses.'

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS