The Welsh Ambulance Service has placed its first fully electric vehicles into frontline service, introducing 10 MAXUS eDELIVER 5 vans alongside 20 plug-in hybrid Ford Transit Custom models as part of a £22.4 million fleet investment backed by the Welsh Government.
The service said the electric vehicles will be primarily used as single responder units by Advanced Paramedic Practitioners and Cymru High Acuity Response Unit paramedics. The vehicles are being deployed at multiple locations, including Wrexham, Aberystwyth, Gelli, Bryncethin, Neath, Swansea, Blackwood and Cardiff, providing coverage across Wales.
See also: Evolt Charging Installs EV Charge Points at Cadw Heritage Sites Across Wales
Charging infrastructure has been installed at ambulance stations nationwide, allowing the vehicles to be recharged as part of daily operations. The Welsh Ambulance Service said the move is designed to reduce reliance on diesel-powered vehicles for routine responses while maintaining operational readiness.
The introduction of the electric and plug-in hybrid fleet is expected to help lower carbon dioxide emissions linked to diesel use, while meeting the operational needs of frontline emergency care.
“These vehicles represent a major step forward not just in sustainability, but in comfort and safety,” said David Holmes, fleet manager at the service. “They’re equipped with a range of driver assistance technologies, like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and blind spot assist, all of which help reduce driver fatigue and enable our crews to focus fully on patient care.”
See also: Flix Launches First 100% Electric Long-Distance Coach Service in England and Wales
Holmes said the rollout also supports wider public-sector climate targets. “We’re immensely proud of these cleaner and greener vehicles, which support both our own decarbonisation agenda and Welsh Government’s goal for a carbon net zero public sector by 2030,” he added.
Improving air quality is also a key consideration, according to Ed Roberts, acting director of finance at the trust. “As the national ambulance service for Wales, improving air quality is a key priority for us, not just for our people and patients but for the wellbeing of communities across Wales, now and in the future,” Roberts said. “With demand on our service increasing year-on-year, it’s more important than ever to have an efficient fleet which literally keeps the wheels turning on our ambulance service.”