More than 500 new ambulances are being deployed across England in a major upgrade to the NHS emergency fleet, aimed at cutting response times and easing

pressure on frontline services this winter.

Every region has received new vehicles as part of a £75 million government investment, marking one of the largest ambulance fleet renewals in recent years. The rollout comes as the NHS faces heightened winter demand, including an early flu peak.

The new double-crewed ambulances replace ageing vehicles and are fitted with modern safety and clinical equipment, designed to better protect patients and staff while enabling paramedics to deliver urgent care more effectively. Early data shows the vehicles have lower breakdown rates and spend less time off the road, helping services respond faster and more reliably.

The programme has also provided a boost to UK manufacturing and engineering jobs, with ambulances converted at sites across the country, including in Yorkshire, Cheshire, Cambridgeshire and London.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said:

“In an emergency, every minute matters. When someone dials 999, they should get help fast - not be left waiting because of creaking kit or preventable delays.

These new ambulances are already helping to cut response times and keep more vehicles on the road, just as the NHS is facing a tidal wave of flu and the ongoing disruption of strikes.

I want to thank NHS staff for their extraordinary dedication this winter. They are going above and beyond for patients, often in incredibly tough conditions, and this government is backing them with the modern equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

Modernising our ambulance fleet means better care for patients and stronger emergency services - while backing British jobs and driving economic growth”.

 NHS national director for urgent and emergency care, Sarah Jane Marsh said:

“Modern, well-equipped and reliable ambulances are a vital part of emergency care and allow staff to respond quickly and safely when patients need them most.

This new fleet of ambulances are a crucial link between providing patient care whether at home, in transit or at an emergency department and are a real boost at a time when staff are working incredibly hard and emergency care is under considerable pressure’.

The ambulance rollout forms part of a wider Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, which includes investment in 40 new same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centres, and 15 mental health crisis assessment centres. The government has also committed an additional £412 million over the next four years to continue renewing the ambulance fleet.

The announcement comes as the NHS manages ongoing winter pressures and the impact of recent industrial action. Despite these challenges, ambulance response times have improved compared with last year, vaccination rates have increased, and more care is being delivered in community settings to reduce pressure on overcrowded emergency departments.

Rory Deighton, Acute and Community Director, NHS Confederation, said:

“Health leaders will welcome these new ambulances to the country’s fleet which will help the NHS to continue to provide better, faster and more appropriate emergency care, an area which is facing high demand and rising public concern over performance.

NHS leaders and their teams are working incredibly hard to keep patients safe, but rising flu levels, increased staff sickness and industrial action is having an impact, so making sure the NHS does not continue to fall into crisis each winter is essential for improving public confidence in the health service.

Strong collaboration between all health partners in the system and with local government, including improvements to emergency care through the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan will be key to sustained progress over the next year”.

Jason Killens KAM, Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and Chief Executive of London Ambulance Service said:

“These new vehicles are a key part of the ongoing modernisation of ambulance fleets across the country, ensuring we can meet the needs of patients not only during what is already a very challenging winter, but for many years to come.

The new ambulances include a range of design improvements that enhance patient care and staff safety. They are lighter, more fuel‑efficient and produce fewer emissions, while supporting paramedics to deliver urgent care more effectively. Their improved reliability also means fewer breakdowns and less time out of service, keeping more vehicles on the road and ready to respond to patients”.