Australia’s first zero-emission emergency service vehicle was launched with plenty of fanfare at the recent Australasian Fire and Authorities (AFAC) conference in Brisbane.

Based on a Volvo FL Electric, the new truck is set to join the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) fleet in Canberra. 

The pioneering EV build is the work of Lower Hutt’s Fraser Fire and Rescue, part of Fraser Engineering which has played a leading role as a fire engine manufacturer since it purchased Hutt Valley-based Lowes Industries in 2000.

Fraser Engineering has more than 1000 of its fire appliances working in the New Zealand Fire Service as well as in South Australia, ACT, Victoria, Northern Territory, and the Pacific islands.

The Volvo build was the Kiwi constructors first foray into EVs with the work being completed at a rapid pace and with minimal publicity.

“When we received the cab and chassis, we only had four months to finish the truck,” says Fraser Engineering managing director Martin Simpson.

“I’d say that’s faster than anyone else in the world could do it.

“We had it under wraps until it was unveiled in Brisbane, but the cat is out of the bag now.”

The New Zealand content in the Volvo is significant.

“We built the entire body from the ground up, all the electrics and the communications gear and also we did all of the internal fit out,” Simpson says.

It’s the first electric appliance built by Fraser Engineering and only some of the processes used in building diesel units could be carried over to the EV.

“It was a real challenge for our electrical team who learnt an enormous amount that can be used going forward, and will be a huge advantage to us,” Simpson says.

“There is huge interest in many different applications for this technology and with this unit to showcase the quality of our work, I think the opportunities are massive and we are very excited.”

Among those to attend the unveiling of the inaugural EV fire truck were ACT Minister for Police and EmergencyServices, Mick Gentleman MLA; ACT Fire & Rescue Chief Officer, Matthew Mavity; Deputy Head of Mission atthe Embassy of Sweden, Mr. Per Linner, and Volvo Group Australia President and CEO, Martin Merrick.

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

The Volvo FL Electric is Australia’s first zero-emissions logistics vehicle and is a milestone in a partnership established between Volvo Group Australia and the ESA in July 2022. It will be used for important tasks including operational support for Fire & Rescue teams.

“Transport accounts for 19% of Australia’s carbon emissions, and 38% of that is from road vehicles. With this project, government and the emergency services are leading by example in moving to net-zero vehicles,” says Martin Merrick.

“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.”

The Volvo FL Electric has a 135kW/425Nm electric motor and the battery capacity of 265KWh allows an estimated range of up to 300km.

Following initial Volvo driver training and vehicle implementation processes, the vehicle is expected to gointo operational service in and around the ACT in early 2024.

The Australasian Fire and Authorities (AFAC) conference is the region’s largest emergency managementconference and exhibition.