Electric vehicle, EV, New trucks, News, Zero emissions

Volvo unveils its first electric emergency services truck

Volvo Group’s first zero emissions emergency services truck has been supplied to the ACT Emergency Services Agency – and is expected to go into operational service in and around the ACT in early 2024.

The truck was unveiled at the Australasian Fire and Authorities Conference and Exhibition (AFAC), being held from August 22-25 in Brisbane.

Volvo Group Australia President and CEO Martin Merrick was joined by ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman MLA, ACT Fire & Rescue chief officer Matthew Mavity, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Sweden Per Linner, and other guests at the handover of the Volvo FL Electric (pictured below from left to right).

The truck will be used for various tasks including operational support for Fire & Rescue teams.

Minister Gentleman said, “This is a significant milestone for the ACT. Transitioning emergency services operational support vehicles to zero emissions vehicles is a crucial step to achieving our government’s nation-leading target of net zero emissions by 2045.”

The Acting ESA Commissioner Jason Jones added, “The delivery of this co-designed vehicle is a significant step in our journey to lowering emissions within our emergency services fleet.

“As we transition our fleet, we are excited to not only improve our environmental footprint but improve safety and well-being for our staff and volunteers. I would like to recognise and thank the project team including firefighters from ACT Fire & Rescue who together demonstrated leadership and innovation in the design and delivery in this vehicle”.

According to Merrick, “Transport accounts for 19 per cent of Australia’s carbon emissions, and 38 and of that is from road vehicles.

He continued, “With this project, government and the emergency services are leading by example in moving to net-zero vehicles. Early adopters like the ESA and ACT Government should be commended and Volvo is proud to be supporting their work to shape a more sustainable world.”

Before the truck is put to work out in the field, there will be Volvo driver development training and vehicle implementation processes.

Volvo Group Australia is planning to begin manufacturing its range of FM and FH heavy-duty electric vehicles at its Wacol production facility as early as 2027.

At AFAC, Scania also unveiled an electric emergency services vehicle, displaying a battery electric Scania 25 P BEV 4×2 rigid, which it says could easily be utilised for rescue services in the near future.

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