CASE STUDY: Blue-light Fleet Electrification

CLIENT OVERVIEW 

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is the world’s busiest emergency ambulance service. Covering 620 square miles across the capital, the Trust handles around two million 999 calls each year and responds to more than 3,000 emergencies every day. 

Committed to reducing its environmental impact, the Trust has been transitioning its fleet of 1,150 emergency and support vehicles to electric wherever operationally possible, with a target to complete this transition by 2030 

PROJECT SCOPE 

The Trust required a scalable EV charging and grid infrastructure strategy across its operational estate to support the transition to a zero-emission fleet without compromising frontline emergency response capability. Having successfully delivered EV charging solutions for other NHS organisations, SEE Services was appointed to provide specialist support, working in partnership with E-DNO. 

Together, the team delivered a combined Grid Feasibility & Strategy Report, integrating fleet telematics, estate feasibility, network capacity assessments, and delivery planning into a single implementation roadmap. The commission included a review of 83 operational sites, detailed feasibility studies for 42 priority locations, identification of high-confidence early delivery sites, and development of a five-year infrastructure strategy to 2030 aligned to a £4 million capital budget. 

Through strategic planning, telematics-led analysis, and innovative utility procurement, SEE Services transformed an original six-site utility budget into an 18-site electrification programme, while securing more than £1 million in future capital return through iDNO asset value payments to support later phases of fleet transition. 

A £4m six-site utility budget was transformed into an 18-site electrification programme with £1m+ future capital return.  

SEE SOLUTION 

Working in partnership with E-DNO, SEE Services developed a strategic, data-led delivery model that moved beyond a conventional site-by-site utility approach. Combining fleet telematics, technical engineering, commercial innovation, and phased implementation planning, the strategy was designed to maximise budget value, accelerate delivery, and futureproof the Trust’s electrification programme. 

Findings were presented through a series of collaborative workshops with London Ambulance Service stakeholders, enabling options to be reviewed, priorities agreed, and a phased delivery strategy aligned to operational needs and available budget. 

FLEET & OPERATIONAL MODELLING 

Using one month of telematics data covering approximately 44% of the fleet, the team analysed: 

• Vehicle movements 

• Mileage profiles 

• Dwell times 

• Duty cycles 

• Charging patterns 

• Peak operational demand 

The study included dual crew ambulances, emergency response cars, motorcycles, coroner vehicles, and non-emergency support vehicles. Telematics modelling demonstrated that electric response vehicles could comfortably meet operational duty cycles. In several scenarios, vehicles completed demanding shifts using less than 50% battery capacity, providing confidence that electrification could be delivered without compromising frontline response capability. 

The operational data was translated into site-specific infrastructure requirements, defining: 

• Number of chargers required at each site 

• Appropriate charger speeds, including AC, DC and rapid charging 

• Site-specific peak power demand 

• Capacity allowances for resilience and future growth 

• Grid connection and substation requirements 

• Phased rollout sequencing 

ESTATE-WIDE FEASIBILITY STUDY 

A full desktop review of 83 operational sites and detailed feasibility studies for 42 priority locations were completed. Analysis of the priority portfolio identified significant variation in connection complexity, site access, local network headroom, and spatial constraints. A risk-scored prioritisation framework ensured available capital was focused on technically viable, operationally compatible sites with confirmed network capacity. 

The detailed feasibility study identified: 

• Existing electrical capacity and infrastructure at each site 

• Available spare infrastructure capacity 

• Point of connection opportunities 

• Cable routing requirements 

• Proposed substation locations 

• Charger layouts and vehicle circulation plans 

• Site constraints and delivery risks 

• Geographic prioritisation across all five London sectors 

  
  

Visual mapping, site layouts, and infrastructure overlays were developed to support stakeholder engagement, investment decisions, and phased implementation planning. 

CUTTING COSTS & ACCELERATING DELIVERY 

To reduce connection costs and speed up programme mobilisation, SEE Services introduced a competitive iDNO procurement strategy alongside traditional DNO routes. 

By engaging providers early and proactively supplying technical information, quotation and approval times were significantly reduced. 

This strategy delivered: 

• 37%–51% cost savings compared with traditional DNO procurement 

• 30%+ programme acceleration 

• Greater commercial competition 

• Increased design flexibility 

• Faster mobilisation and connection offers 

Further savings were achieved through: 

• Value engineering of substation designs 

• Refurbished transformer and switchgear components (circa 20% savings on selected items) 

• Alternative metering strategies to reduce ongoing charges 

• Early procurement of long-lead equipment 

• Parallel delivery of design, planning, legal, and procurement activities 

A major additional benefit of the iDNO model was the opportunity to secure more than £1 million in future capital return through asset value payments once the new electrical infrastructure is energised and adopted. This creates a valuable reinvestment fund for future phases of fleet electrification, enabling the Trust to extend its transition programme without relying solely on new capital budgets 

DELIVERY ON LIVE OPERATIONAL SITES 

SEE Services was appointed as both Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, responsible for coordinating design, managing delivery, and ensuring health and safety across live 24/7 ambulance sites. 

As Principal Designer, SEE Services ensured all documentation and contractor approvals were in place, supported by detailed utility and GPR surveys, with designs reviewed prior to sign-off. The role was managed independently from the Principal Contractor function to provide objective oversight. Additional requirements, including building regulations for enclosed charging and structural roof assessments (covering ~90% of sites), were identified and addressed during design. 

As Principal Contractor, SEE Services scaled resources to deliver multiple sites concurrently. Layouts were continuously refined to reflect on-site constraints, including underground services and operational input. Logistics were tightly managed through a live delivery schedule to maintain full access to ambulance stations at all times. 

Every aspect of the rollout balanced cost efficiency, operational resilience, and driver experience, helping frontline teams transition confidently to EV technology.34 

Technology choices were equally important. Each charger was equipped with a branded user screen providing clear instructions, operational guidance, and Trust communications, helping drivers confidently transition between electric and diesel vehicles while supporting smooth day-to-day adoption. 

LONG-TERM IMPACT 

The project has delivered far more than charging infrastructure. It has created a resilient and scalable roadmap for one of the world’s most operationally demanding emergency fleets.

Benefits include: 

• Clear pathway to electrify 1,150 fleet vehicles by 2030 

• Reduced emissions and improved air quality across London 

• Better long-term value from public investment 

• Futureproofed grid infrastructure across the estate 

• Accelerated rollout through smarter utility procurement 

• £1 million+ capital return for reinvestment 

• A replicable model for NHS fleet electrification nationwide