North East Ambulance Service expands electric vehicle charging network through NHS partnership
North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has reached another milestone in its electric vehicle (EV) project with the installation of a new rapid charger at the University Hospital of North Tees with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
The charger is the latest milestone in NEAS's EV project and has been delivered through partnership working between NEAS and NHS colleagues.
North East Ambulance Service operates more than 600 vehicles from 63 ambulance stations and three operations centres across the region. In 2025/26, its teams attended 442,168 incidents and took 298,307 patients to hospital. Building a reliable charging network will help NEAS explore how electric vehicles could support this busy service in the future.
Martin Gibson, environmental sustainability manager at NEAS, said: "This is another important step forward for our EV project and shows what can be achieved when NHS organisations work together.
"As we continue to explore the future use of electric ambulance vehicles, having the right charging infrastructure in place is essential. We're grateful to our NHS partners for helping us expand charging facilities across the region and support the NHS ambition of reaching net zero."
The new dual rapid charger allows vehicles to charge quickly while operating in Teesside and joins a growing network of chargers at ambulance stations and NHS sites across the North East.
Chris Chalmers, head of operations at NEAS, said: "Reliable charging facilities are a vital part of preparing for the next generation of ambulance vehicles.
"The new charger at North Tees strengthens our regional charging network and helps ensure we're ready to support future ambulance services as our EV project develops."
The North Tees charger is part of wider plans to build the infrastructure and also contributes to the NHS long term goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions and creating a more sustainable health service.
Steve Taylor, director of estates for University Hospital Tees, commented: “We have always enjoyed an excellent working relationship with NEAS, and it has been fantastic to build on that partnership through a project that helps reduce our shared carbon footprint.
“The new EV charger will provide a reliable, high-speed charging solution for their growing fleet of electric ambulances, supporting its transition to greener transport and helping ensure these vehicles remain operational for years to come.”
To find out more about NEAS's charging infrastructure programme, visit: https://www.neas.nhs.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/electric-vehicle-charging-funding-secured-neas-ambulance-stations