Electric fire trucks: Volvo Penta unveils “game-changing” electric driveline

Volvo Penta, a supplier of engines and power systems for marine and industrial applications and part of the Swedish multinational manufacturing giant AB Volvo, has unveiled an electric driveline which they believe is a “game-changer” for fire trucks.

The new electric driveline was unveiled for fire service vehicle manufacturer Rosenbauer’s pioneering Concept Fire Truck, with Volvo Penta boasting that the “completely new vehicle architecture” would revolutionize the fire service industry and bring benefits such as zero exhaust emissions and significantly reduced noise levels.

Rosenbauer’s Concept Fire Truck and its new electric driveline are currently undergoing intensive testing, and the two companies expect it will soon enter real-world customer testing later this year with fire departments in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Dubai.

“After many years of successful collaboration with Rosenbauer, we’re proud to be pioneering electric drivelines and partnering with them on this revolutionary project,” said Paul Jansson, Chief Project Manager at Volvo Penta.

“This is our first industrial OEM partnership in the area of electromobility and it’s a big step towards creating a new product platform of the future.”

The Volvo Penta-powered Revolutionary Technology (RT) Concept Fire Truck (CFT) is part of an effort to address what the company sees as “global megatrends such as climate change, shifting demographics and urbanization – and their impact on fire departments’ work.”

The new fire truck will allow fire departments around the world to reduce their fuel costs while simultaneously improving safety and functionality.

Each axle of the RT CFT is powered by an electric motor and is equipped with an energy storage system which provides electric travel and rescue operations. And, if that’s not enough, a backup diesel engine is included.

“The teams at Volvo Penta and Rosenbauer have been working together closely to design a tailored solution that enables the electric fire truck to do its job in a more safe, effective and sustainable way than a conventional vehicle,” says Dieter Siegel, CEO at Rosenbauer International.

“Together, we have created the most revolutionary and progressive vehicle in the fire service industry. We have been collaborating with Volvo Penta for many years, they are the experts in this field and they truly understand our needs.”