Volvo partners with ACT to design zero emission emergency services vehicles

Volvo Group Australia has this week signed a landmark partnership with the ACT Emergency Service Agency (ESA) to co-design and develop net zero emission operational emergency services vehicles.

The partnership, believed to be an Australian first, marks Volvo as the preferred supplier of zero emissions heavy vehicles to the ESA. Specifically, Volvo and ESA will co-design up to seven vehicles that meet the operational needs of emergency services as well as the emissions goals of the ACT Government, which have targeted reaching net zero emissions by 2045.

Maybe more importantly, though, is the fact that, according to Volvo and ESA, there are currently no low or zero emissions emergency service vehicles available on the market. Thus, Volvo and ESA are positioning themselves to corner an important segment of the zero-emission transport market.

“Collaborations like the one we have just announced with the ACTESA are vital to help decarbonise our world and I applaud the agency for its commitment to being a part of this journey with us,” said Martin Merrick, President and CEO Volvo Group Australia.

“We are very aware of the trust placed in us to fulfil this role. Every day around the world lives depend on our vehicles, and we look forward to that trust evolving towards an emissions free environment to improve the lives of many more.

ACTESA Commissioner Georgeina Whelan said zero emission emergency service support vehicles with zero-emissions capability are not currently available on the market.

“Making the transition to a sustainable fleet, subsequently contributing to the wellbeing of Canberrans and our environment, aligns with this key commitment.”

This is not the first time that the ACT government has made a play to deploy zero emission emergency services vehicles. Back in mid-2019 the government inked a deal with fire truck maker Rosenbauer to trial a plug-in hybrid electric fire truck. Delivery of the plug-in hybrid fire truck was announced in late-2021 to take place during the first half of 20220.

Volvo Penta, a subsidiary of Volvo Group, has also partnered with Rosenbauer, shipping in September 2020 three fire trucks built by Rosenbauer but featuring Volvo Penta’s electric drivelines to fire departments in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Dubai, to begin real-world testing.