The NHS has unveiled the world’s first zero emission ambulance capable of travelling up to 300 miles before re-charging at the COP26 summit.

Developed by the NHS and ambulance trusts in partnership with industry, the zero emission ambulance is the first to integrate electric vehicle technology with a hydrogen fuel cell, enabling the vehicle to travel much further. This length of range would make this ambulance suitable for use in services and locations that need to make longer journeys, such as rural areas of the country.

With NHS travel and transport accounting for 3.5 per cent of all UK road traffic, the development of greener transport is critical if we are to reduce harmful emissions, clean up our air, and improve health now and for future generations. Decarbonising the ambulance fleet could potentially reduce emissions by 87 ktCO2e every year.

The announcement builds on a greener ambulance development programme gaining pace across the NHS. The first fully-electric ambulance, is currently in service in the West Midlands – transporting patients safely across Birmingham, while improving local air quality.

Since 2010, the NHS has reduced its emissions by 30 per cent.