Did you know London has electric ambulances?
In fact, they have had electric ambulances since 2024, but they received significantly more this summer.
29.10.2026 15:18
You might think electric ambulances would appear first in Norway, but that’s not the case.
Studies are underway in both Stavanger and Oslo, while Copenhagen, Los Angeles, Berlin, and Vienna already have various types of ambulance vehicles under trial.
In London, however, they have gone further and recently upgraded their fleet.
A total of 125 electric vehicles in the ambulance service
Last summer, the London Ambulance Service received 37 new fully electric ambulances and 40 so-called “fast response” vehicles, which typically transport medical staff and anesthesiologists but cannot carry patients.
The first electric ambulances were put into use by London’s ambulance service as early as 2024, and now they have a total of 41 electric ambulances, 81 “fast response” vehicles, and three motorcycles — making 125 electric emergency vehicles in total.
Very pleased so far
The ambulance service in London is part of the UK’s National Health Services (NHS), and so far they are very enthusiastic about their experience with electric ambulances.
They state that these vehicles are easier to maintain, cheaper to operate, and more reliable – and that they have reduced the downtime of their electric emergency vehicles by 75 percent compared to their fossil fuel ambulance fleet.
“Expanding our electric ambulance fleet is good for patients, good for London, and good for the environment. These vehicles produce no emissions and help us reduce air pollution that harms people’s health,” says Jason Killens at the London Ambulance Service.
In addition, they say the ambulances can cover a 12-hour shift on a single charge.
Video from an ambulance shift
To mark the first anniversary of London’s first electric ambulances, Ford invited a film crew last year to follow one of the electric ambulances around the British capital.
From Friday to Saturday, through two 12-hour shifts, they handled a large number of missions in the ambulance — which, as you may have seen, is based on the Ford E-Transit, explaining the automaker’s interest in it.
In the video, ambulance worker Molly Fisher says the vehicle “has never run out of battery — that has never been an issue!”
She is supported by her colleague Himnah Kibuka:
– I don’t think we’ve ever had less than 50 percent battery capacity, and that’s during a 12-hour shift.
In any case, it takes about half an hour to fully recharge the vehicle, and while that’s happening, the ambulance is cleaned and prepared for the next shift.
In addition, they save large amounts of money on fuel costs with these electric ambulances.
Based on average annual mileage, the electric version of the same Ford model costs 2100 pounds per year, compared to 8100 pounds for the diesel version, according to the London Ambulance Service.
Seeking Carbon Neutrality
The 125 electric ambulance vehicles in London are likely just the beginning.
The London Ambulance Service aims to achieve carbon neutrality in the long term and wants to phase out all its fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
Currently, about a quarter of its total 1200 ambulance vehicles run on electricity, but this includes just under 200 hybrid vehicles, in addition to the 125 fully electric emergency vehicles it already has.
Charging takes place at ambulance stations, and last year they installed 288 charging points across 18 ambulance bases in London.
In addition, the London Ambulance Service plans to install chargers at all its stations in London within the coming year.
So it remains to be seen when Norway will follow suit. For now, we can only say “Look to London.”
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The post Did you know London has electric ambulances? appeared first on Norsk elbilforening.