Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief Ralph Terrazas (pictured) said in a statement: ‘I am excited that we are the first Department in North America to order this cutting-edge fire engine.’
Developed by the Austrian firm Rosenbauer, the rig will be custom made to fit LAFD's needs, as well as safety standards set by the National Fire Protection Association.
The electric fire truck will have two batteries with a charge capacity of 100 kilowatt-hours, which is two hours of consistent operation.
The Department expects to take delivery of the new engine in early 2021 and will likely assign it to Fire Station 82 in Hollywood.
Comment: Hollywood, of course...
Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief Ralph Terrazas (pictured) said in a statement: 'I am excited that we are the first Department in North America to order this cutting-edge fire engine.'
All though the new fire truck is electric, fire fighters can activate an on-board diesel generator for extended operations.
'The electric fire engine is an innovative tool that will help reduce noise and harmful diesel emissions while providing a flexible tool for firefighting and rescue operations from a technologically advanced platform.'
Comment: Because that's the primary concern during infernos: noise reduction and diesel emissions.
'We are looking forward to evaluating it in a real-world environment once it hits the streets of Hollywood next year.'
All though the new fire truck is electric, fire fighters can activate an on-board diesel generator for extended operations.
The LAFD will equip the station that houses the electric engine with rapid-charging technology to ensure the apparatus is always ready to respond to calls for service.
Dieter Siegel, CEO of Rosenbauer International, said in a statement: 'The future fire truck is fundamentally different from the vehicles which are in service at the fire stations today.'
'It is multi-functional, fully connected and its flexible interior can be used as a fully featured command center.'
'Its floor can be lowered facilitating minimum boarding and working levels. Electric engines reduce noise and pollution. I am particularly delighted to receive the order from the Los Angeles Fire Department, which really is a fantastic vote of confidence.'
'Together, we will develop a production-ready fire truck that meets all the safety standards of the NFPA and can seamlessly be brought into real operation further down the line.'
It seems electric fire trucks are the way of the future, as a different model made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in January - however it is much smaller than the one heading for California.
Called ABLE, the truck is a collaboration between Panasonic and Tropose Motors.
Comment: 'ABLE', for fires that last 2 hours or less.
It is a miniature battery-powered fire engine that can transport the same equipment as a full-sized fire truck at a fraction of the cost has been unveiled.
The back of the truck is equipped with a Kimtek Firelite Transport Deluxe — a 125 gallon water tank unit and a 5 gallon foam pump.
The vehicle stands at around only 6.5 feet tall by 4.5 feet wide and 12.5 feet long (or 2.0 by 1.4 by 3.8 metres).
According to the designers, the cart-sized truck 'is ready to serve in spaces large or small, indoors or out' — and would be ideal for use in 'tight metropolitan areas'.
Comment: It's products like this that really only serve to further prove the current unviability of electric vehicles, as well as how dangerously out of touch with reality their fanatics are.
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