Welsh Government invests £23.1m in new ambulance and response vehicles

New emergency ambulances, response cars and patient transport vehicles will soon be on the roads across Wales after a £23.1m investment from the Welsh Government.

The funding will enable the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust to replace 160 vehicles as part of its ongoing fleet modernisation programme.

The new vehicles include:

• 50 emergency ambulances
• 40 single responder vehicles
• 67 non-emergency patient transport vehicles
• 3 specialist Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles

The replacement fleet meets the latest emissions standards, supporting Wales’ commitment to reducing carbon output and improving air quality. The Trust has continued to expand its electric vehicle charging network and has already introduced solar panels, hybrid engines and battery electric vehicles across parts of its fleet.

Alongside upgrading vehicles, the service is also testing new ways to improve patient care. Trials of defibrillator drones are underway to reach people in rural areas more quickly. The Trust is also using video consultations to assess patients remotely and exploring artificial intelligence tools to support 999 call handlers.

Jeremy Miles, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, said the investment would help ensure people receive a timely response in an emergency.

“When someone dials 999, they need to know that help is on the way. This investment ensures our ambulance service has the modern, reliable fleet it needs to be there for people across Wales,” he said.

He added that the move also supports environmental goals, with lower-emission vehicles helping to cut carbon while maintaining high standards of care.

Chris Turley, Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Resources at the Trust, said replacing older vehicles would improve reliability and working conditions for staff.

“Modern ambulances are more dependable and better equipped to support patient care. They also provide a safer and more comfortable working environment for our crews,” he said.

“As the national ambulance service covering 8,000 square miles, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint. From electric vehicles to solar panels, we are building a greener fleet for the future.”

To read similar articles, check out our Sustainability channel.