London Ambulance Service has strengthened its fleet of electric ambulances with 77 new zero-emission vehicles.
The new arrivals comprises of 37 electric ambulances and 40 fast response cars. In total, there are 41 electric ambulances, 81 fast-response cars and 3 motorcycles.
It said that electric vehicles were quicker to maintain, cheaper to run and more reliable, reducing the amount of time a vehicle is off the road by 75%.
The electric ambulances can cover a full 12-hour shift on a single charge, enabling crews to spend more time out on the road caring for patients.
Phase-out
It has invested in sustainable vehicles to phase out diesel and other polluting vehicles as they reach the end of their mechanical life, helping the service to transition to a fully sustainable fleet.
Around a quarter of London Ambulance Service’s vehicles at the present time – 300 of the 1200-strong fleet – can operate using electric power, including both fully electric and hybrid models.
The new vehicles are being rolled out throughout the summer as the service builds charging infrastructure at its sites across the capital.
Charge points
Last year, 288 electric vehicle chargers were installed across 18 ambulance stations in London, with 27% of sites fully electrified for charging. The service plans to install charging points at all of its sites by 2028.
The new vehicles build on London Ambulance Service’s commitment to sustainability, set out in its four-year Green Plan.
It has already reduced its carbon emissions by 12% since 2022, and is aiming to achieve a further 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2029.
Fleet Electrification Forum
The news comes as the issue of blue lights integrating electric vehicles into their fleets was discussed at the latest Transport + Energy Fleet Electrification Forum, with Effie Vraka, EV Charging Solution Architect at the Metropolitan Police, and Anda Baumerte, Sustainability Manager at the West Yorkshire Police.
Funding and skills were described at the event as the key barriers for the transition to electric vehicles across the emergency services sector.
Jason Killens KAM, Chief Executive at London Ambulance Service, said:
“The expansion marks a major milestone for us as we accelerate towards a carbon neutral fleet and deliver better healthcare for millions of Londoners.
“Expanding our electric fleet is a win for patients, and a win for London and the environment. These vehicles produce zero emissions and help to tackle air pollution that can worsen serious health conditions.
“They’re also more efficient to maintain, meaning more ambulances are available to respond when people need us most – while saving taxpayers’ money through lower running costs.”
Image courtesy of the London Ambulance Service
