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

The switch to the e-Niro for the trust’s non-emergency patient transport service will reduce its emissions by 96 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year

The move will reduce the trust’s emissions by 96 tonnes of carbon dioxide while ensuring it still responds to the needs of patients.

After trialling a number of different vehicles, the trust has taken delivery of 16 e-Niros, which will be used for EV patients in Derbyshire who need non-emergency medical or clinical support to get to and from their healthcare appointments.

Steve Farnsworth, assistant director of operational support at EMAS, said: “We are constantly evaluating the electric vehicle offering that is available, which is changing and improving with new products being launched year on year. These vehicles have an excellent range and the manufacturer is very much established in this field of technology.

“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.”

The vehicles are proving popular with both staff and patients.

Jenny Revill, clinical lead for NEPTS in Derbyshire at EMAS, said: “The cars are smooth to drive, have a quiet ride and respond well to different traffic conditions. They are very comfortable for staff, which is important for 12-hour shifts, and the patients that have used them have given positive feedback – especially on getting in and out of the vehicle for those with mobility challenges.

“This is because the electric vehicles are slightly larger than our previous cars and this helps patients getting up from the seated position as there is plenty of legroom in the rear. The added feature of heated seats for the winter will be really helpful.”

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: “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.”

Kia’s second-generation Niro – including the renamed Niro EV – is now available to order in the UK. As with the previous model, it’s available with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric powertrain, and prices for the Niro EV, which now has a 287-mile range, start from £34,995 on-the-road.