Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust is to become the first in the country to trial a low-emission hybrid electric vehicle.
The Vauxhall Ampera car will operate as a rapid response vehicle, attending emergencies across the city.
The car’s electric transmission is backed up by a petrol engine, which boosts the car’s mileage range and makes it a safe option for use by emergency services.
The trial is being organised in conjunction with York City Council, which is keen to promote low-emission vehicles and improve the local air quality and is part of the ambulance trust’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2015 and cut spend on fuel.
We are very excited to be the first to run a trial with an electric-hybrid frontline ambulance vehicle that will respond to incidents as well as help to reduce our emissions
Richard Smith, fleet manager for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We are very excited to be the first to run a trial with an electric-hybrid frontline ambulance vehicle that will respond to incidents as well as help to reduce our emissions. As it has both electric and petrol power we are reassured that it is a viable alternative. Also, by reducing our emissions, we will be contributing to the improvement of York’s air quality.
As part of the pilot, City of York Council has agreed to make plug-in electric recharging points available across the city.
Councillor Dave Merrett, cabinet member with responsibility for transport, planning and sustainability, said: “I very much welcome the trust’s move to introduce lower emission vehicles into their fleet. This is a first for the UK and one that I hope other emergency services take note of.”
