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 desert all its diesel ambulances and set up almost 5,000 charging points at hospitals and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered automobiles.

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

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

There are 160 other electrical emergency cars for paramedics, consisting of 2 vehicles, 16 action vans and three motorcycles.

The latest electric ambulances have a range of approximately 200 miles, but paramedic teams in backwoods often take a trip even more in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the typical action time in England for the most life-threatening 'category-one' ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds - compared to an NHS target of seven minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, previous chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have actually been having a hard time to fulfill their response targets. With these difficulties it is ridiculous to distract NHS workers from their tasks with unrealistic Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service released the first fully electric emergency ambulance 2020

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

'Time, planning and expenditure are entering into buying electrical lorries and constructing battery chargers - numerous of which will never ever be set up - instead of enhancing reaction times.

'Even 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 shocking results for clients and taxpayers.'

England's very first electric ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be provided this year to be used in city 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 transfer to electric - having the variety to run in locations where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling 3 electrical ambulances given that 2023, but has not used them to carry guests. Another eight will be delivered 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 said: 'It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they enhance client care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not impact action times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel expenses.'

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