A LIFE-saving fleet of ambulances will soon also be helping to save the planet.

Solar panels are to be fitted to emergency vehicles operated by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

The Trust has been awarded a grant of £166,000 from the Department of Transport’s Clean Vehicle Technology Fund.

And it will use the cash to fit the equipment on 175 of its rapid response vehicles – RRVs - as part of a Government initiative to reduce the impact of exhaust fumes on the environment.

The trust will be the first in England to use such equipment on its emergency fleet and they will start rolling out from November.

RRVs are often strategically located on standby awaiting the next emergency call and currently staff are required to keep the vehicle engine running at all times to power vital electrical systems.

The solar panels will power everything electrical in the vehicle and prevent car batteries from going flat when stationary.

They will also reduce emissions when the vehicles are on standby as the engine can be switched off as they await the next call.

The trust’s environmental and sustainability manager, Alexis Keech said: “Not only does it allow us to reduce the carbon footprint of our organisation and contribute to the Government’s work to reduce emissions, but will also reduce our fuel costs meaning we can re-invest the savings into frontline services and patient care.”