Early look at the new electric vehicles
North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) hosted two events in April to give staff, NHS partners and colleagues from across the ambulance sector an early look at new electric vehicles set to support services in the coming months.
The events, held at the Trust's Driver Training Centre in Team Valley and its headquarters in Newcastle, provided an opportunity for the Trust Board and governors, representatives from NHS England, ambulance trusts from across the country, NEAS and North East Ambulance Service Unified Solutions (NEASUS) colleagues, NHS partner organisations, vehicle manufacturers, and blue light service partners to look inside the new vehicles and ask questions.
The following vehicles have been unveiled:
- Skoda Enyaq Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV)
- Renault E-Master ambulance
- Renault E-Master Patient Transport Service (PTS) vehicle
- Ford E-Transit ambulance
They form part of NEAS’s contribution to the NHS net zero target, which sets out how the NHS will reduce emissions from its vehicles while continuing to deliver safe and effective patient care.
Kevin Scollay, Chief Executive of the North East Ambulance Service, said: "These electric vehicles have the potential to significantly improve both staff and patient experience. Features such as self‑loading stretchers can help reduce musculoskeletal injuries and sickness absence, while quicker loading and improved reliability support better response times.
“This is an important next step in how we support our workforce, modernise our fleet and plan for wider rollout in the years ahead, while continuing to strengthen collaboration with partners involved in vehicle development, conversion and charging infrastructure.
“We know there are understandable concerns about reliability, charging infrastructure and how this shift will affect our crews and patients, and it’s important we address those openly and together. Bringing everyone into the conversation at this early stage helps us build confidence, strengthen oversight and shape a rollout that works for the whole organisation.
"This is a big change, but it’s also a huge opportunity. By working closely with our partners and involving our people throughout, we can be ambitious about modernising our fleet in a way that improves patient care, supports staff and moves us towards a more sustainable future.”
Paul Leach, Head of Ambulance Fleet at NHS England, said: “It’s a pleasure to see first‑hand the progress NEAS is making with electric ambulances and how local innovation is helping to shape national strategy.
"These vehicles bring clear benefits for patients through improved air quality and for staff through quieter, smoother vehicles that are well‑suited to the demands of the role. While there is more to do around infrastructure, the work being done by NEAS is helping to support the NHS ambition for a fully zero‑emission ambulance fleet.”
Further information will be shared publicly as the project progresses and electric response and patient transport vehicles are progressively introduced into service.
More information on the NHS Net Zero Travel and Transport Strategy is available at:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/net-zero-travel-and-transport-strategy/