YORKSHIRE Ambulance Service (YAS) is to be the first in the country to test two “electric ambulances” which will respond to emergency incidents.

The two Vauxhall Ampera electric cars are to be brought into service in York in the coming months as part of the ambulance service’s rapid response fleet. The trial will be supported by City of York Council’s recharging sites which are being introduced around the city.

Richard Smith, fleet manager for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “We are very excited to be the first ambulance service to trial an electric vehicle that will respond to incidents, reduce our emissions and provide significant savings on fuel costs.

“As it has both electric and petrol power we are confident that it is a viable alternative.”

Councillor Dave Merrett, cabinet member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, said: “I very much welcome Yorkshire Ambulance Service’s move to introducing lower-emission vehicles to its fleet. This is a first for the UK and an initiative I hope other emergency services will adopt.”

There are already several locations in the city where electric cars can be charged and more sites are planned in the near future.

The council said it also has plans to install a public charging network across its city centre car parks with a fast-charge capability.

Meanwhile, the council said it is to host two “Opportunity Green” business events on March 5 at the Mansion House. The morning session will concentrate on reducing costs and environmental impacts, taking advantage of the latest Government Green Deal initiative.

The afternoon event, called Future Transport York, will explain the council’s Low Emission Strategy (LES) and is intended to help inform operators about clean transport initiative and ends with the launch of ‘Eco-stars’ – the new fleet recognition scheme for York.

Both events are free of charge and open to all business sizes and sectors.

Register for one or both events at iie@energypartnership.org.uk or phone 07500554455.