The East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS) has replaced every one of its non-emergency patient transport service cars in Derbyshire with the fully electric Kia e-Niro. 

EMAS began its search for a suitable electric vehicle for its Derbyshire NEPTS service almost three years ago. The trust tested a variety of different vehicles before making a final decision to implement the Kia e-Niro. EMAS has now taken delivery of 16 of the Kias for patients in Derbyshire who need non-emergency medical or clinical support to get to and from their healthcare appointments. 

Andy Watson, Fleet Assistant General Manager for EMAS, said: "We’re really pleased to have been able to introduce these fully electric, zero-emissions vehicles to our fleet. With these vehicles now fully operational, we are immediately putting them into service as we respond to the needs of our patients." 

Running on pure electric power, EMAS staff will be able to recharge the vehicles at numerous public charging points across the region. Steve Farnsworth, Assistant Director of Operational Support at EMAS, said: “The car is capable of up to 282 miles when fully charged and our NEPTS vehicles complete 90 miles per day on average, meaning one charge should last a day without the need to charge again.” 

This latest rollout of electric vehicles at EMAS is part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to becoming a net zero trust by 2040.Stacie Scullion, Sustainability, Energy and Compliance Manager at EMAS, said: "Our operational fleet accounts for 65 per cent of the emissions we control directly. 

"Changing 16 diesel cars in Derbyshire to electric vehicles will reduce our fleet emissions by 96 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per year and will have the greatest benefit to reducing our overall climate impact. 

"The climate emergency is also a health emergency and these zero emission cars are welcomed at EMAS as we recognise their importance in reducing the negative health impacts caused by air pollution.”

Charing at public points will require patients