More than 200 NHS sites will receive a boost to support their transition to electric vehicles as part of the government’s investment package to supercharge Britain’s EV infrastructure announced earlier this month. £8m of the £63m funding announced will power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets, with over 1,200 new charging points, saving millions in fuel and maintenance costs over the next two decades which can be invested into patient care.
Health Minister Karin Smyth says: “This is a win-win: cheaper travel for the NHS and cleaner air for our communities. As part of our Plan for Change, we’re investing in green energy to build an NHS fit for the future – cutting pollution and saving millions in fuel costs.”
NHS Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Gormley adds: “The NHS has already implemented hundreds of projects that reduce emissions and drive significant cost savings, all while improving patient care.
“This new £8 million investment, across 62 NHS Trusts and around 224 sites, supports the renewed commitment in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to deliver a more sustainable NHS while also helping hospitals to save millions on fuel and maintenance costs and reducing air pollution. These savings can be reinvested directly into frontline care, ensuring the NHS continues to deliver for our patients and communities.”
Local authorities will also benefit from a pioneering £25m scheme to expand access to cheaper at-home charging involving innovative cross-pavement technology to allow cables to run safely beneath pavements. This will connect homes directly to parked vehicles, enabling more families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as two pence per mile even if they don’t have a driveway.
Electric vehicle revolution
The fund is the latest move to bolster the UK’s growing charging network which has reached a record 82,000 public chargepoints, with a further 100,000 expected to be installed as a result of the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund and £6 billion of private investment committed to 2030.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: “We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head on so that everyone - whether or not they have a driveway - can access the benefits of going electric.
“Our investment is about more than just charging points – it’s about charging up Britain’s economy. I’m proud that through this boost, we are helping deliver cheaper bills for families, massive savings for the NHS to reinvest in patient care, and thousands of new green jobs.
“This is what our Plan for Change mission to kickstart Britain’s economy looks like in practice. We’re not just boosting charging infrastructure, we’re building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport, whilst creating thousands of good jobs across the country.”
