Victoria will soon have its first electric fire truck.
Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes on Wednesday announced that Fire Rescue Victoria’s (FRV) Electric Vehicle for Incidentand Emergency – named EVIE for short – is on its way from Austria.
EVIE has been built to FRV specifications and combines the latest innovative firefighting equipment and technology in a zero emissions vehicle. EVIE is a first for FRV and only the second fully electric fire truck in Australia.
As well as being completely electric, the new fire truck has other innovative features, including independent drive and pump systems for firefighting on the move, meaning that firefighters do not have to park the truck, get out and set the pumper up. There are also improvements to the inside cabin to provide more storage and comfort.
The fire truck also features artwork from Indigenous artist Samantha Richards, entitled ‘Bunjil and Waa’.
Once delivered, firefighters will be thoroughly trained and familiarised with EVIE’s new technology before the fire truck is gradually introduced to service in early 2025.
FRV commissioner Gavin Freeman said EVIE was part of the modernisation of the state’s firefighting fleet.
“We’ll be evaluating all aspects of the truck’s performance to help inform future decisions about the integration of electric fire appliances into our service,” he said.
“This vehicle has been built with expert advice from our people to provide maximum benefit for the Victorian community and the firefighters that will be operating it at incidents and we thank all members of the project team for their highly valued contribution to date.”
