The investment — spanning 62 NHS trusts and around 224 sites — is expected to save £130m over the next 25 years, with a return on investment in just four years.

Tracy Nicholls, chief executive, The College of Paramedics, said: ‘The College of Paramedics warmly welcomes the Government's funding agreement to fund over 1,200 new EV chargers at NHS sites. This is a vital step forward in supporting ambulance services to operate more sustainably, in line with our commitment as members of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change and our collective focus on meaningful change to reduce the impact of air pollution on our patients and communities.

‘By supporting ambulance services to move to electric vehicles, we not only reduce emissions and improve air quality, but also save money. We urge the Government to maintain this funding long-term to ensure the UK ambulance sector can continue its essential transition to greener, more sustainable fleets.'

The NHS runs the second-largest vehicle fleet in the country with over 20,000 vehicles clocking up more than 460m miles each year.

The latest investment follows the Government's recent announcement of a £63 million investment in electric vehicle infrastructure.