Dubbed "Revolutionary Technology" (RT), the truck is currently undergoing intensive testing and will soon begin real-world customer trials at fire departments in Berlin, Amsterdam and Dubai.
Volvo Penta has worked with long-time customer Rosenbauer to develop an electric powertrain for the platform and industrialized version of the company's Concept Fire Truck (CFT), known as "Revolutionary Technology" (RT). Volvo Penta and Rosenbauer have abandoned conventional commercial vehicle concepts and instead developed an electric solution for the truck's powertrain. They have introduced a completely new vehicle architecture that is expected to revolutionize the firefighting industry and bring benefits such as zero exhaust emissions and significantly less noise. With its electric drive, the fire truck features excellent ergonomics, functionality and safety, as well as a high load volume, compact dimensions and unique agility. The RT is currently undergoing intensive testing and will soon reach the next major milestone when it is adopted in real customer trials at fire departments in Berlin, Amsterdam and Dubai later this year.
"After many years of successful collaboration with Rosenbauer, we are proud to be pioneering electric propulsion systems and working with them on this revolutionary project," says Paul Jansson, chief project manager at Volvo Penta. "Our close partnership and deep understanding of our customers' needs guided us in developing the electric powertrain for the new fire truck. Starting customer testing really shows what the teams have achieved together. This is our first industrial OEM partnership in the field of electric mobility. A major step towards creating a new product platform of the future. "
The electric powertrain delivers outstanding performance
The new fire truck is designed to respond to global megatrends such as climate change, demographic shifts and urbanization and their impact on the work of fire departments. Firefighters responding to a call need a vehicle that offers high speed, rapid acceleration, strong braking and maneuverability. The RT's electric drivetrain combined with an independent suspension and hydropneumatic chassis provides a high level of safety and excellent driving performance.
The Volvo Penta-powered RT truck will help fire departments around the world reduce fuel costs and improve safety and functionality. Each axle of the truck is powered by an electric motor, and the energy storage system enables electric-powered travel with enough time to operate at the rescue scene.
"The Volvo Penta and Rosenbauer teams have worked closely together to develop a customized solution that allows the electric fire truck to do its job more safely, effectively and sustainably than a conventional vehicle," says Dieter Siegel, CEO of Rosenbauer International. "Together we have created the most revolutionary. Most advanced vehicle in the firefighting industry created. We have been working with Volvo Penta for many years. "At Volvo Penta, we see ourselves as a partner. Not as a supplier to our OEM customers. So this kind of collaboration with Rosenbauer is not unusual for us," concludes Björn Ingemanson, President of Volvo Penta. "We want to become a global leader in sustainable power solutions and help our customers future-proof their businesses by meeting the increased demands for cleaner, quieter and more efficient power solutions. This project shows an important step on this way.