Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' 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 hospitals and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered cars.

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

The MoS can also reveal there are currently just 2 electric-powered ambulances getting guests in England - compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency vehicles for paramedics, including 2 vehicles, 16 reaction vans and three motorbikes.

The current electric ambulances have a series of as much as 200 miles, but paramedic crews in rural locations typically travel further in a shift.

Latest figures show the typical reaction time in England for the most dangerous '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 personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have actually been to meet their response targets. With these difficulties it is ridiculous to distract NHS employees from their tasks with unrealistic Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the first fully electrical emergency situation ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' plan to amaze all UK ambulances

'Time, planning and cost are going into buying electric cars and building chargers - a number of which will never be set up - rather of enhancing response times.

'A lot more worrying is the difficulty of upgrading the grid in time to meet the additional need.

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

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

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our location is primarily rural and this continues to be the biggest consider our relocation to electric - having the range to operate in locations where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling 3 electrical ambulances because 2023, however has not utilized them to transfer passengers. Another 8 will be provided to the service this year.

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

The NHS stated: 'It is right we look for sustainable options when they improve client care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not affect response times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.'

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS