Volvo Penta electric driveling is a game changer for the fire truck of the future

Volvo Penta has been collaborating with its longstanding customer Rosenbauer to develop an electric
driveline for the platform and industrialized version of the company’s Concept Fire Truck (CFT),
known as “Revolutionary Technology” (RT). By walking away from conventional commercial vehicle
concepts and developing an electric solution for the truck’s driveline instead, Volvo Penta and
Rosenbauer introduced a completely new vehicle architecture that looks set to revolutionize the fire
service industry and bring benefits such as zero exhaust emissions and significantly reduced noise
levels. With its electric driveline, the fire truck boasts excellent ergonomics, functionality, and safety,
as well as high loading volumes, compact dimensions and one-of-a-kind agility. The RT is currently
undergoing intensive testing and will soon pass its next major milestone, when it enters real-world
customer testing later this year with fire departments in Berlin, Amsterdam and Dubai.
“After many years of successful collaboration with Rosenbauer, we’re proud to be pioneering electric
drivelines and partnering 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 the development of the electric driveline for the new fire truck. Starting customer testing
really brings home what the teams have managed to achieve together. This is our first industrial OEM
partnership in the area of electromobility and it’s a big step towards creating a new product platform
of the future.”
Electric driveline delivers great performance
The new fire truck aims to provide an answer to global megatrends such as climate change, shifting
demographics and urbanization – and their impact on fire departments’ work. Firefighters responding
to a call need a vehicle capable of high speed, rapid acceleration, hard braking and maneuverability.
The RT’s electric driveline, paired with independent suspension and a hydropneumatic chassis,
delivers a high standard of safety and a great driving performance.
The Volvo Penta-powered RT truck will help fire departments around the world reduce their fuel costs
as well as improve safety and functionality. Each axle of the truck is powered by an electric motor
and the energy storage system allows for an electricity-powered journey with ample time for operation
at the rescue site. In addition, the new electrically powered truck has a backup diesel engine on board
in case the journey or operation takes longer than expected.
“The teams at Volvo Penta and Rosenbauer have been working together closely to design a tailored
solution that enables the electric fire truck to do its job in a more safe, effective and sustainable way
than a conventional vehicle,” says Dieter Siegel, CEO at Rosenbauer International. “Together, we
have created the most revolutionary and progressive vehicle in the fire service industry. We have
been collaborating with Volvo Penta for many years, they are the experts in this field and they truly
understand our needs.”
Proven Volvo technology
As part of the Volvo Group, Volvo Penta leveraged proven technology and competence from Volvo
Trucks and Volvo Buses and adapted it to meet the performance requirements of a fire service
application. An important job, since the electric driveline is the heart of the electric vehicle. The result
is a proven Volvo Group technological solution that is tailored to meet Rosenbauer’s needs.
“At Volvo Penta, we see ourselves as partners, not suppliers to our OEM customers – so collaborating
with Rosenbauer in this way is not unusual for us,” concludes Björn Ingemanson, President of Volvo
Penta. “We want to become the world leader in sustainable power solutions and help our customers
to future-proof their businesses by meeting the increased demands for cleaner, quieter and more
efficient power solutions. This project demonstrates an important step in this journey.