NHS to Save Up to £130 Million Through New Electric Vehicle Chargers Across NHS Sites
The NHS is set to save up to £130 million over the next 25 years through a landmark investment in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure across NHS sites, as part of the government’s wider commitment to a greener, more sustainable health service.
The NHS operates the second-largest vehicle fleet in the UK, with over 20,000 vehicles covering more than 460 million miles annually. From ambulances and patient transport vehicles to maintenance and essential deliveries, this fleet plays a crucial role in keeping NHS services running efficiently. However, the fleet also contributes to air pollution, which is linked to around 36,000 deaths each year in the UK, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as older adults, children, and those with existing health conditions.
In line with its Net Zero ambitions, the NHS is committed to fully decarbonising its fleet by 2040. The recent government announcement of £63 million in funding for EV infrastructure includes £8 million specifically allocated to support the NHS’s transition to electric vehicles. This funding will finance over 1,200 new EV chargepoints across 62 NHS trusts and 224 sites, reducing fuel and maintenance costs and enabling savings to be redirected into frontline patient care.
Key Benefits of the Investment:
- Cost Savings:Up to £130 million over 25 years, with a projected return on investment in just four years.
- Environmental Impact:Significant reduction in carbon emissions and air pollution, improving public health.
- Enhanced Sustainability:Supports the NHS’s wider Net Zero strategy and the government’s 10-Year Health Plan for a greener healthcare system.
Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive of The College of Paramedics, said:
“The College of Paramedics warmly welcomes this investment in over 1,200 EV chargers at NHS sites. Supporting ambulance services to operate more sustainably is a vital step forward in reducing the impact of air pollution on our patients and communities. This initiative demonstrates how greener fleets can deliver cost savings while improving patient care, and we urge the government to maintain long-term support for this essential transition.”
Anna Parry, Managing Director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), added:
“This £3.5 million investment in electric vehicle charge points across all ten NHS ambulance trusts is a timely step toward a more sustainable NHS. Electric ambulances and response vehicles have already been successfully trialled in some regions, showing how transitioning to electric fleets can reduce exposure to air pollution while providing long-term savings for reinvestment in patient care.”
This initiative underscores the NHS’s commitment to sustainability, patient safety, and fiscal responsibility. By investing in electric vehicle infrastructure, the NHS is ensuring more resources go directly toward patient care while reducing its environmental footprint.
