By Stephen Edelstein on Motor Authority
The first electric fire truck in the U.S. has arrived in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) took delivery of the truck, a Rosenbauer RTX, on May 14. It will be deployed to LAFD Station 82 in Hollywood, the department said in a press release.
The LAFD announced plans to buy an electric fire truck from Austrian firm Rosenbauer in 2020. The RTX has a diesel engine acting as a generator to help charge the 132-kWh battery pack. The BMW-sourced 3.0-liter inline-6 kicks on when the charge drops to 20% and can recharge the battery pack in about 45 minutes, according to Rosenbauer.
Moreover, a pair of electric motors handle propulsion. One power for each axle, giving the RTX all-wheel drive. Together, they have a continuous output of 350 hp and a peak output of 490 hp.
The truck also comes with an adjustable air suspension that permits up to 19 inches of ground clearance and three feet of water-fording capability while allowing the truck to kneel so firefighters can get in and out more easily. Available all-wheel steering includes counter-steering and GMC Hummer EV-like crab modes.
Rosenbauer estimates that the RTX can operate for about two hours on battery power alone plus another six hours on diesel power. The company notes that drivers can electrically drive or operate the diesel range extender with its onboard water pumps.
