£4m funding boost will power hundreds of charging sockets for NHS England’s fleet

The £4m funding, announced today (27 February) is part of a £22m programme to electrify NHS England’s fleet - the UK’s second largest fleet.

The programme has already delivered over 1,000 EV charging sockets to power ambulances and NHS vehicles.

Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather, said: “Backing the switch to electric for our NHS fleet will save our health sector millions and help to clean up 460 million miles worth of journeys across England – that’s good for taxpayers, patients and our communities.

“With over 116,000 public chargers now on UK roads, our investment is transforming the UK’s public charging network so more drivers can make the switch to electric with confidence.”

Chris Gormley, NHS England chief sustainability officer, said: “Moving to electric vehicles is helping to make the NHS fit for the future – providing quick response times for patients and improving air quality around hospitals.

“Thanks to this new funding and continued investment from the government, more NHS trusts will also save on fuel and maintenance costs. Zero emission vehicles are expected to save the NHS tens of millions every year, which can then be reinvested directly into frontline care for patients.”

New public charging figures released by DfT this week show there are now 116,052 public EV chargers in place across the UK.

The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) welcomed this latest funding move by the DfT. 

Sue Robinson, NFDA chief executive, said: “Investing in the electrification of the NHS fleet is a smart move that will deliver tangible savings for the health service, while showing the public that the government is leading the way on electric vehicles.

She added: “This investment is a positive move and a clear example of how public sector leadership can drive change.

“Electrifying the NHS fleet will not only save money for taxpayers but also support the wider EV transition, ensuring both the public and industry can benefit from a cleaner, more sustainable transport system.”