The Electric Line-up
At Interschutz 2022, Rosenbauer presented a total of five electric firefighting vehicle models, yet again demonstrating its innovation and technology leadership in the firefighting industry.
Low-emission, sustainable, efficient! This is a description of the firefighting vehicles of the future, and trade visitors got the first glimpse of what they will look like at Rosenbauer’s stand at Interschutz. The company showcased six electric-powered vehicles (five models) – not concept vehicles, but most of them fully developed, market- ready products and some of which firefighters are already driving or will be driving in the foreseeable future out on active duty.
Rosenbauer’s stars of the show were the Revolutionary Technology (RT) and the PANTHER electric; both featuring chassis that were developed in-house, demonstrating how the energy supply of electrified vehicles works and, not least, showing that no compromises whatsoever on quality, robustness, and reliability had to be made in their construction. On the contrary, the RT and the PANTHER electric combine proven advantages such as technical brilliance and maximum operational benefits with requirements for future firefighting operations, including making the vehicles as carbon-neutral as possible and offering better protection for fire crews on duty.
The all-rounder
While the PANTHER electric was still in prototype form, the Revolutionary Technology was already exhibited as a customer vehicle. A tank fire truck designed as a typical multi-purpose vehicle, with both fire extinguishing systems for firefighting operations (extinguishing pump, extinguishing tanks) and extensive equipment for technical operations (hydraulic rescue equipment, e-tools) on board and space for up to nine firefighters. The all-rounder plays a pivotal role in firefighting operations, and all around the world is one of the first vehicles to respond to an alarm call. It is standardized in many countries; for example, as a rescue firefighting group vehicle in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
The groundwork for this future-proof vehicle was laid over a decade ago. Its electric drive concept is bringing fire services a significant step closer to zero-emission firefighting operations. With the RT/X, not only can fire crews drive around cities with no carbon footprint, but they produce less noise and fewer emissions at the scene as well because, in standard operations, the energy for all the consumers – including the extinguishing pump – comes from the vehicle’s high-voltage batteries.
Revolutionarily different
But the RT/X is not just an environmentally-friendly tank fire truck, but the blueprint for a revolutionary new firefighting vehicle design philosophy. The crew cabin of the RT/X is no longer its own module separate from the cab – as has been the case up to now – but is integrated in the self-supporting body that is designed as a safety cell and forms a single unit together with the cockpit. Whereas in the past this cabin was used only to transport the crew, the conference seating arrangement in the RT/X (rotatable driver and commander seat, with seats for the crew along the sides of the vehicle) now allows for crew briefings to be held away from all the noise and sheltered from the weather. This feature has been particularly well received among the fire crews who have already used the vehicle for operations.
The universally digital operability of the RT/X, which also includes intuitive drone and robot control, is another popular feature. Numerous ergonomic improvements have also been made to the vehicle, which can be seen, for instance, in the lower access heights for crew and equipment and the headroom in the cabin.
PANTHER 6x6 with electric drive train (PANTHER electric)
Unrivaled performance
With its electric permanent all-wheel drive featuring rear-wheel steering and pneumatic chassis, the RT/X boasts driving dynamics and a level of maneuverability that have not been achieved in firefighting vehicles until now. It also delivers unparalleled handling thanks to its optimal axle load distribution and low center of gravity, with one of the two traction batteries integrated into the tubular frame of the low-floor chassis. The driving performance of the RT/X is far superior to that of other firefighting vehicles in the same weight class – particularly in the city, when overtaking free-flowing traffic, around fast bends and in tight corners.
The electric drive also makes the PANTHER electric more nimble. Comparable journeys with a conventional and an electric-powered vehicle have shown that the electric vehicle can do the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sprint from 0 to 80 km/h in 21 seconds or just under. That is nearly 20 seconds faster than the ICAO requirement, and up to 10 seconds quicker than was previously possible in a PANTHER 6×6. The new drive also allows for a higher maximum speed. Whereas the top speed used to be 115 to 120 km/h (depending on the model), the PANTHER electric is now capable of reaching a top speed of around 125 km/h.
ARFF vehicles by nature of their operational characteristics are particularly well-suited to electrification. They only ever drive short distances, so range is not an issue and there are frequent downtimes during operations when the batteries can be charged. These vehicles also stack up well on the CO2 reduction account, which many global airports are now keeping. According to the Airports Council International, one hundred airports want to be carbon-neutral by 2030.
Fire station of the future
Alongside the RT/X and the PANTHER electric, Rosenbauer showcased three other electric municipal firefighting vehicle models inside an special Urban Electric Fire Station: the AT electric tank fire truck, the L32A-XS electric aerial ladder, and the GW-L electric logistics equipment truck. While the first two vehicles were new designs on a custom chassis featuring a driveline that was specially developed in-house, these three are built on electrified series-production chassis, with the Interschutz vehicles all sporting a Volvo chassis (FE and FL electric).
It is the first time fire services have had a choice of tank fire truck. They can opt for the Advanced Technology (AT), which has represented the state of the art for 30 years with its traditional design, or – with just a few minor adaptations – they can convert to electric mobility with the AT electric. Or they can even purchase the RT/X, whose architecture opens up a whole world of new possibilities.
Never without backup
Whether the AT electric, the RT/X or the PANTHER electric, all the vehicles feature an electric driveline, an electric-powered in-built pump, and an additional energy backup system (EBS). This “backup”, which is another in-house development, comprises a combustion engine and a power generator, which automatically tops up the vehicle’s high-voltage batteries if an operation uses more power than is stored in the batteries. As user experiences with the RT/X in Berlin and Los Angeles have shown, this is not often the case in modern day-to-day firefighting operations, which mainly involve technical operations. The vast majority of operations undertaken so far have been completed without requiring additional energy from the energy backup system. Nonetheless, it is still indispensable because – should it be required – it will ensure long-term pump operation, which is a standard requirement, and provide the vehicle with an emergency power supply in a disaster scenario.
Reputable partners
Rosenbauer is working with prominent companies in the automotive industry on the development of its electric vehicles. Volvo Penta is contributing its expertise to the driveline of the RT/X, Magna is the system partner for the electrification of the PANTHER, and the components for the energy backup system come from BMW. Rosenbauer is in direct talks with emergency services on the matter of launching the vehicles. The Berlin Fire Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department were among the first technology partners and have already been using the RT/X in active operations. The first electric aerial ladder is also being used in Switzerland. More and more municipalities worldwide are setting themselves ambitious climate targets. This political will is matched by that of the fire services, who want to make a contribution with their vehicle fleets in urban areas.