The Victoria Fire Department has a new tool in its toolbox. The department says its first electric fire truck will do everything the old diesel-powered fire trucks do with some new capabilities.
  • Poutinetown@lemmy.ca
    5·
    5 months ago

    “The total all-in cost was about $1.7 million," says Victoria fire Chief Dan Atkinson.

    Two grants from the provincial and federal governments – totalling $660,000 – bring replacement costs in line with a new diesel truck at around $1.2 million.

    “Total cost to ownership is definitely lower so when we look at that total lifecycle of say a 20-year vehicle, we’re saving a lot of money in fuel over that 20 years,” said Simon Upshon, manager of fleet operations with the City of Victoria.

    Seems to be a fairly financially sound decision to make. Fuel is a massive cost for a car of this size.

  • hoot@lemmy.ca
    5·
    5 months ago

    Waiting for someone to complain about the km range.

    I love this so much. The raw superiority of EVs over ICE vehicles in so many aspects is astonishing.

  • thejoker954@lemmy.world
    64·
    5 months ago

    I know its silly, but personally I’d prefer my emergency vehicles (Especially a beast like a fire truck) to be some of the last converted to electric.

    • capt_kafei@lemmy.caEnglish
      15·
      5 months ago

      Why? This sounds like a nice upgrade:

      The truck comes equipped with air suspension, allowing its height to be adjusted to four different levels. It’s all-wheel drive, unlike its predecessors, and being electric, there is more space for storage.

      And the article says it has a fallback diesel engine if the battery runs low:

      According to the city, it also has an onboard diesel engine that will automatically engage when the battery drops below 20 per cent during an extended firefighting response, ensuring no breaks in service.