Fire Engines Photos

Although Berlin has ordered more, these four were at the time they were delivered the largest single order for Rosenbauer electric pumpers. Although actual specifications vary between users, the design can accommodate a dual pressure pump up to 4000 LPM, with or without CAFS, A 4000 litre tank, a crew cab for up to nine, and various ladder and hose loads. Common features include a battery to enable a minimum of four hours pumping autonomy at full throttle, a diesel BMW powered generator for backup purposes, four wheel drive, four wheel steering and a four level adjustable suspension system. This provides a low setting for loading and unloading, a normal setting for paved roads, a high setting for off road operations and an ultra high setting for use in flooded areas.

Added by Rob Johnson on 09 December 2024.

What a Cool looking bit of kit. Thanks Rob for the interesting detail.

Added by Richard Aston on 14 December 2024.

Richard. They are starting to show up in quite a few brigades in different countries, and are not limited to Europe. They are extremely versatile and the chassis has been adapted for aerials too, although I have not seen any photos yet. The other brand which seems to qualify as a true electric is the Volvo, originally engineered for local urban delivery work, and now the basis for pumpers, aerials and a few specials. In the USA, several firms are pushing “ electric “ prototypes, but these seem to be hybrids, still relying on the traditional diesel engine, transmission and drive axle for propulsion, in addition to battery driven electric motors. So it seems they are a bit behind Rosenbauer as far as technology goes…

Still, Los Angeles bought a Rosenbauer, and I believe there are by now a few more here and there in the US and Canada. They are apparently very expensive, although everybody is extremely tight lipped about just how much they do cost - and of course it is quite possible the firm is subsidizing these early deliveries so as to persuade users to place them into service.

Because fire services tend to keep equipment for many years, it looks like any major adoption of electric trucks may well take several decades, even if these prove to be an economically justified proposition after many years of service.

Added by Rob Johnson on 16 December 2024.

Just a related historical note. As early as 1900 Berlin had an electric fire pumper, and several German fire brigades had Loehner-Porsche hybrid fire appliances in the early 1900s, engineered by a youthful Ferry Porsche, whose name became very famous in later years. By 1913 London had numerous battery electric “escape vans” too, which had no pumps but carried either a 15 or 18 meter wheeled escape ladder and had a small water tank and hose reel system powered by a compressed air cylinder, like an oversized fire extinguisher. By the end of WWI however, ICE fire trucks were powerful and reliable enough to eclipse these early electric and hybrid efforts.

Added by Rob Johnson on 18 December 2024.

Basel FD had also electric fire pumper early 1900's.

Added by JACQUES PETER on 20 December 2024.

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