Net zero ambulances to cost half a billion

NET ZERO ambulance plans could cost taxpayers over half a billion pounds, analysis by The Telegraph suggests.

The NHS has committed to making all new emergency ambulances electric by 2030 and the entire fleet net zero by 2045. Estimates suggest it would cost £70million to make the 480 ambulances in the West Midlands electric, at around £150,000 per vehicle over the next five years.

Extrapolated across the 4,300 ambulances in operation in England, this suggests the move would cost the health service £627million by the end of the decade. The budget for ambulance services in England stands at £2.5billion to £3billion per year, although only a fraction of this is spent on vehicles.

There is no leading manufacturer of electric ambulances because of the limited demand. Instead they focus their efforts on popular vans, which the NHS has had to look at converting.

These typically cover 70 to 80 miles with a top speed of 56 mph and would drain the energy required for life-saving medical equipment, officials said.

Ambulances are usually replaced every five years but the new electric models would have to be on the road for “in excess of 15 years to reach a commercially viable position … which makes this an impossible position”, the report said.

The NHS has also estimated that it would cost £100 million to ensure adequate charging stations at hospitals and ambulance hubs across the country.

An NHS spokesman said:“The new electric ambulances being tested are benefiting thousands of patients, hospitals report they are working efficiently, and they could help deliver annual savings of £59million, which will be reinvested in front-line care.

“The NHS won’t replace the existing fleet of ambulances until 2030 and by that point, it is expected that the electric vehicles will be the same price as petrol or diesel models.”