West Midlands Ambulance service have added two electric response cars to its fleet of ambulances.

This comes after the trust launched the UK’s first 100 percent electric ambulance in October 2020.

The two new electric Jaguar I-Pace cars have been developed by Bradford based company, VCS.

West Midlands Ambulance Service chief executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “West Midlands Ambulance Service has been at the forefront of developing ambulance technology and operating a modern fleet for the last ten years. Working with industry specialists like VCS, we have used aircraft style technology and design to create the most hi-tech and lightest vehicles in the country. This has continually reduced our impact on the environment by lowering our CO2 levels and ensured that patients receive the highest standards of safety and comfort."

Tony Page, general manager for fleet and facilities management at WMAS, said: “It’s great to see the delivery of this latest innovation in our drive to deliver a zero-emission fleet. This new edition follows the successful integration of the fully electric emergency ambulance last year which is performing well and receiving good feedback from operational colleagues as I am sure the new I-Pace cars will too. This is another good example of a collaboration between the vehicle converter VCS, the vehicle manufacturer JLR and WMAS operational and fleet staff. Work is now in progress to deliver two zero emission patient transfer service vehicles.”

The trust have also invested into a ‘rapid charge infrastructure’ which will charge the vehicles in less than an hour.

Managing director at VCS, Mark Kerrigan, said: “We have engaged in a programme with JLR, West Midlands Ambulance Service Fleet and Operational user teams to produce a bespoke fit for purpose design to the very capable zero emission platform in the Jaguar I-Pace. As always the team at WMAS have pushed the innovation envelope which has resulted in the delivery of what we feel is a best in class fully capable zero emission response car.”

The response cars will be operating in Birmingham in the coming weeks.