The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is rolling out a new electric fire engine.
The vehicle is part of a pilot project with local company Pierce Manufacturing that will see it enter service by the end of the summer.
“In addition to our adaptability to our green technology as one of the major reasons that we where chosen to test this engine, Voltera is also here to test its functionality and performance in our cold Canadian climate,” says Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
The truck will be tested and evaluated to see how it does compared to the normal diesel engines.
Some of the benefits include reduced emissions and improved air quality, along with the fact they are much quieter than the regular vehicles.
The engine has a backup diesel system to ensure continuous power to the pumping and driving systems, but they don’t anticipate it will be needed. Three cities in the U.S. have successfully tested the engines.
“Deployment of the Voltera engine in the Unite States has been successful, which gives us great confidence in the reliability and the performance of this technology,” says acting fire chief Pete Steenaerts.
The new electric truck will start operating by the end of this summer and will be based in Station 7.
CFD personnel will be trained on its use, and the truck’s performance will be monitored for 5 years.