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The NHS in England is to install hundreds of brand new EV charging sockets after it received £4m from the Department for Transport’s NHS Charge Point Accelerator Scheme.

This funding boost will help modernise some of the health service’s fleet of about 20,000 medical vehicles and decarbonise 460 million miles of travel per year.

According to the DfT, NHS fleet electrification will also save millions on maintenance and fuel costs that can then be invested directly back into frontline care.

The latest funding comes after the £10m awarded to NHS trusts from the Department for Health and Social Care last month and the £8m awarded from the DfT last year to support the delivery of more than 1,000 EV charging sockets.

Keir Mather, Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, 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, chief sustainability officer at NHS England, 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.”