North Carolina FD Innovates with Electric Fire Truck

The Charlotte, North Carolina, Fire Department is one of the first in the nation to roll out an all-electric fire truck. Charlotte Fire received an REV Vector Electric Fire Truck. According to a post on the department's Facebook page, the new truck packs 316 kW of proven automotive-grade batteries to deliver the longest electric pumping duration in the industry. The truck performs 100% of fire ground duties on 100% electric power.

The truck will save 19.66 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent from tailpipe emissions annually.

All in the Details

REV Fire Group debuted the Vector electric fire truck at FDIC International in April 2022. Designed with the same components that are used on diesel-driven fire apparatus, Vector’s electric motor takes the place of the diesel engine, driving the pump or the rear axle in normal split shaft operation. Its low center of gravity battery placement provides better cornering with more predictable handling, and is safer in a crash, according to REV's website. The truck will use regenerative breaking to assist with battery charging.

Another Move Toward Sustainability

The fire truck will be part of the new plan for Charlotte’s first all-electric firehouse. The new 3-bay, 2-story firehouse, at more than 14,000 sq ft, is situated on a three-acre site and is scheduled to start construction in the first quarter of 2024.

The new firehouse and truck are part of the City of Charlotte’s Strategic Energy Action Plan which sets forth a method to strive to power the fleet by 100% zero carbon sources by 2030.
In October, Government Fleet reported that the city plans to add an additional 55 electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet in 2023. Charlotte currently has at least 64 EVs, including the new fire truck.