The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has been trialling electric rapid response vehicles as part of its broader commitment to reducing its environmental impact and supporting NHS net zero targets.
Frontline staff, including operational crews and driver trainers, have been involved in a series of test days designed to assess the suitability of various electric vehicles for deployment across the Trust’s 600-strong fleet. NEAS responds to the needs of 2.7 million people across a 3,200 square mile region and completed more than 770,000 journeys in 2023/24 through its emergency and patient transport services.
Chris Chalmers, head of operations (central) at NEAS, said: “It is important to remember the impact that using electric vehicles may have on not only our patients, but the frontline crews who respond to them. By inviting operational staff to the trial, and collecting their opinions, management staff are able to make an informed decision as to the future of the fleet as well as the future of patient care.”
The initiative is part of NEAS’s wider environmental strategy, which saw the service exceed its carbon reduction forecast last year by cutting emissions by 7.4%, 2.4% more than planned.
David Parkin, fleet operations manager at NEAS, said: “Electric vehicles will play a key role in shaping the future of our fleet and driving the transition to a greener, more sustainable service, for the communities we serve. We are keen to evaluate the various electric vehicle options on offer to a service like ours.
“There are many benefits to the use of electric vehicles within our fleet and a reduction in harmful emissions is a key one. Most importantly, electric vehicles are reliable as they do not need key items such as clutches or engines replacing.
“With a potential longer life, this will mean less emergency vehicles are off the road and delivering life-saving care to the region. This initiative will give NEAS a clearer understanding of the electric vehicle market and allow staff to provide direct feedback on vehicle performance, range, comfort, and usability.”
The NEAS driver training team supported the assessment process, with vehicle performance, handling and practicality evaluated across a range of scenarios.
Gavin Riddle, driver training lead at NEAS, said: “The driver training team have been putting the test vehicles through rigorous assessment, to support the wider NHS net zero commitments.
“Generally, electric vehicles are smoother and more responsive than diesel vehicles and this can only have a positive impact on response times and patient journeys.
“Reviewing new vehicles helps us to expand our understanding in operating a range of vehicles, with up-to-date training for the future arrival of electric vehicles.”
Martin Gibson, environmental sustainability and facilities manager at NEAS, said: “We’ve made massive strides towards decarbonising the energy we use in our buildings and reducing carbon emissions and I look forward to continuing the electric vehicle initiative, to ensure that we can provide sustainable healthcare to all of our patients, now and in the future.”
Other recent NEAS sustainability measures include the installation of air source heat pumps at six ambulance stations, a 128kW battery storage system at Ashington, solar panels across four sites, and the launch of the UK’s first carbon-neutral tri-station in Hebburn in partnership with Northumbria Police and Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service. NEAS has also partnered with local NHS Trusts on a no-idling project at major regional hospitals to help cut on-site emissions.
