The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has taken delivery of their first electric fire truck, a Rosenbauer RTX, on May 14. The truck will be deployed to LAFD Station 82 in Hollywood, and LAFD announced plans to buy the truck from Austrian firm Rosenbauer in 2020.
The RTX is a range-extended electric vehicle, with 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. Propulsion is handled by a pair of electric motors, giving the RTX all-wheel drive with 350 hp continuous output and 490 hp peak output. It also features an adjustable air suspension that permits up to 19 inches of ground clearance and three feet of water-fording capability, as well as all-wheel steering with 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. Its onboard water pumps can be electrically driven, or operated by the diesel range extender. The battery pack is divided into two modules, one under the floor, and one positioned vertically behind the cab. The flexibility of the electrified powertrain also allowed for a more spacious cab layout.
The LAFD has not yet confirmed plans for additional RTX fire trucks, but Rosenbauer has estimated that 400 such vehicles could be operating in North America by 2025, and 3,200 vehicles globally by 2030. We’re excited to see the LAFD’s move towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient way of protecting lives in Los Angeles.