The first electric fire truck in the United States arrived in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) took delivery of a truck called the Rosenbauer RTX on May 14. It will be deployed to Hollywood’s LAFD Station 82, the department said in a press release.
LAFD has announced plans to purchase an electric fire truck from the Austrian firm Rosenbauer in 2020. The RTX is actually a range-enhanced electric vehicle, a diesel engine that acts as a generator to help charge a 132-kwh battery pack. According to Rosenbauer, the BMW-powered 3.0-liter inline-6 turns on when the charge drops to 20% and can recharge the battery pack in about 45 minutes.
Rosenbauer RTX LAFD Electric Fire Truck
Propulsion is driven by a pair of electric motors. Provides an RTX all-wheel drive powering each Excel. Together, they have an uninterrupted output of 350 hp and a maximum output of 490 hp.
The truck also has a compatible air suspension that allows ground clearance of up to 19 inches and three feet of water-forging capability, allowing the truck to kneel down so firefighters can enter more easily. Available all-wheel steering includes counter-steering and crab modes like GMC Hummer EV.
Rosenbauer estimates that the RTX alone can work for about two hours on battery power, plus six hours on diesel power. Its onboard water pumps could be electrically powered or powered by a diesel range extender, the company noted.
Rosenbauer RTX LAFD Electric Fire Truck
The battery pack is divided into two modules. Located below a floor, many resemble electric cars. The other is located vertically behind the cab. The packaging flexibility of the electrified powertrain allows for a wider cab layout, Rosenbauer noted.
LAFD has not confirmed plans for additional RTX fire trucks. In 2020, Rosenbauer said they expected to drive 400 cars in North America by 2025 and 3,200 worldwide by 2030.