London Ambulance Service (LAS) has added a further 77 fully-electric emergency response vehicles to its fleet, as it looks to cut emissions and air pollution as it saves lives across the UK’s capital. The new arrivals consist of 37 electric ambulances and 40 rapid response cars, bringing the total number of EVs in LAS’ fleet to 125 (that’s 41 electric ambulances, 81 electric rapid responders, and 3 electric motorbikes).
The expansion cements what is now the UK’s largest fleet of fully electric ambulance vehicles, and it’s not just the improvements to air quality that make these better vehicles for the NHS than their diesel predecessors. LAS also note that these EVs work out cheaper to run, are more reliable, and faster to maintain, cutting the amount of downtime the vehicle requires. Thanks to strong battery ranges and efficiency, these modern electric ambulances can also complete a full 12-hour shift on a single charge.
The additional 77 EVs are being rolled out throughout the summer as LAS continues to build charging infrastructure across the capital. Last year, 288 EV chargers were installed across 18 ambulance stations, with 27% of its ambulance sites now fully electrified. LAS plans to have charging points at all of its sites by 2028, which will enable it to expand its EV fleet further.
Jason Killens KAM, Chief Executive at London Ambulance Service, commented:
“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.”
