East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS) has been awarded £411,000 to install new electric vehicle (EV) charge points across its estate.
The investment marks a significant step in EMAS’s journey towards becoming a net zero organisation and supports its wider environmental ambitions.
To meet the needs of its growing electric and hybrid fleet, EMAS is rolling out a phased plan to ensure vehicles can charge reliably at key operational sites. This includes installing new charge points funded by the grant and improving access for staff where charging is needed most.
As more electric and hybrid vehicles join the fleet, EMAS will continue to expand its charging infrastructure to keep pace with demand – ensuring frontline teams can stay mobile and deliver care without interruption.
The Trust currently operates 153 electric and hybrid vehicles across Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services, mental health response, community first responders, ambulance crews, and support services. Its network already includes 108 charging sockets across 35 sites.
With the fleet accounting for 72% of direct carbon emissions, electrifying vehicles is a vital part of EMAS’s sustainability strategy.
Reducing health inequalities is another key priority for EMAS. By switching to electric and hybrid vehicles, the Trust is not only cutting its environmental footprint but also contributing to cleaner air and healthier communities across the East Midlands.
The funding has been awarded through the NHS Chargepoint Accelerator scheme – an £8 million initiative from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), delivered through the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). The scheme is designed to help NHS organisations install EV charge points and accelerate the transition to cleaner transport across the health service.
This work supports the NHS’s wider ambition to achieve net zero for the emissions it directly controls by 2040, with an interim target of an 80% reduction between 2028 and 2032.
These milestones represent more than just targets – they reflect a national commitment to delivering care in a way that protects the health of future generations. Every electric and hybrid vehicle added to the EMAS fleet brings the Trust closer to that goal, helping it play its part in creating a greener NHS.
Cara Turton-Chambers, Head of Sustainability at EMAS said: “We’re proud to be making real progress on our sustainability ambitions.
“This grant helps us take a practical step forward, but it’s also part of a much bigger picture.
“With the government’s commitment to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, and to allow hybrid vehicles until 2035, we’re building the infrastructure now.
“This will ensure our fleet and teams are resilient and ready to deliver care in a future where electric mobility is the norm.”
