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Case Study: The City of Madison Fire Department’s Pioneering Adoption of the Pierce® Volterra™ Electric Fire Truck

The red Pierce Volterra electric fire truck pulls out of The City of Madison Fire Department’s Station No. 8 from a bay door next to closed red bay doors. In 2021, the City of Madison Fire Department became the first in North America to test and evaluate the Pierce® Volterra™ electric fire truck in a live operational environment.

Fast forward to today, and they continue to lead the way with the official delivery of the first production custom unit in their fleet. Here’s a closer look at the City of Madison Fire Department’s journey with the Pierce Volterra EV. 

Madison’s Role in Testing and Refining the Pierce Volterra EV Platform

A firefighter in a blue, casual station uniform plugs an electric fire truck into an overhead charging cable inside a fire station. The City of Madison Fire Department’s Fire Station No.8—the busiest station in the city—was one of the first three departments nationwide to participate in a rigorous 18-month in-service evaluation of the Pierce Volterra electric pumper. The department provided critical real-world data to shape the final product, refining elements such as:

  • Battery Performance and Charging Infrastructure: Ensuring the truck met operational demands in an active emergency environment.
  • Operational Readiness: Assessing how the truck performed under different emergency response scenarios.
  • Firefighter Usability: Gathering feedback to improve ergonomics and user experience.
Madison’s testing phase exceeded expectations, and the local impact was profound.


“For the department, it's a monumental leap forward. Being the first prototype and the first product vehicle delivered, we’re leading the way forward. We are showing that sustainable energy is not something to be feared, but instead, is something that can work well in the fire service.” -Matt Wong, apparatus engineer, City of Madison Fire Department


Hear more from Madison’s crew and get an inside look at the Pierce Volterra pumper on the Pierce™ Dispatch podcast: Episode 25: City of Madison Fire Department – Pierce® Volterra™ EV

Madison’s Pierce Volterra EV Custom Specifications

A firefighter in full gear walks on the street toward two red Pierce apparatus operating on scene.When it came time to spec a new Pierce Volterra electric fire truck, the City of Madison Fire Department made some adjustments based on their first-hand experience with the prototype rig. 

Key features of the City of Madison Fire Department's new Pierce Volterra Electric Pumper include:

“My favorite thing about the Pierce Volterra EV is the drivetrain. The sustainability aspect of it and keeping the carcinogens out of the firehouse. It's a feat of engineering, honestly, to be able to take this battery, put it in a fire truck and have it work seamlessly with the push of a button. It’s literally as easy as that.” - Matt Wong, apparatus engineer, City of Madison Fire Department

Some of the key design improvements the department requested included the following:  

  • Transmission and Driveline Refinement: Enhanced performance in terms of smoothness and efficiency.
  • Regenerative Braking Addition: The regenerative braking provides more auxiliary braking power than a standard diesel exhaust brake (engine brake)
    improving energy recovery.
  • Enhanced Shift and Acceleration Performance: Optimized shift responsiveness and better acceleration.
  • Battery Capacity Sizing: Tailored for optimal performance, ensuring sufficient power for operational needs.
  • Duty Cycle Designed to Match Busy Stations: Successfully managing EV requirements for high-demand stations without relying on diesel.
  • BTMS Development: Advanced Battery Thermal Management Systems to ensure safe and efficient battery use.
  • EV Pumping: Enhanced EV pumping capabilities.

These refinements, driven by the City of Madison Fire Department’s real-world testing and operational feedback, ensure the latest Pierce Volterra electric pumper meets the demands of a modern fire service. By fine-tuning performance, efficiency and reliability, Madison’s new custom Pierce Volterra EV reflects a next-generation approach to sustainable firefighting—delivering zero-emission capabilities without compromising operational effectiveness.

“With the Pierce Volterra EV, nothing changes as far as how we run calls; we're going to run it exactly like we run everything else. It fits completely seamlessly to our operational plan and it can be used by anyone in this department. It's nothing unique that [firefighters] have to be specially trained in.” - Matt Wong, apparatus engineer, City of Madison Fire Department

With these key enhancements in place, let’s take a closer look at the innovative features which set the Pierce Volterra electric fire truck apart.

Key Features: Pierce Volterra Electric Fire Truck

The Pierce Volterra EV platform of electric vehicles is a significant breakthrough in fire service technology, offering departments a sustainable, high-performance alternative to traditional diesel apparatus.

Three firefighters stand at the pump operator panel on a red Pierce Volterra electric fire truck managing controls on scene. Key features include:

  • Oshkosh-patented parallel-electric drivetrain with an Electro-Mechanical Infinitely Variable Transmission (EMIVT) for smooth, efficient operation.
  • 246 kWh battery capacity, enabling extended emergency response operations without performance loss.
  • 1,500 GPM single-stage pump and 500-gallon water tank, ensuring no compromise in firefighting effectiveness.
  • Seamless transition to diesel backup, ensuring operational continuity in high-demand situations.

 

By incorporating advanced technology, the Pierce Volterra electric fire truck delivers the power, reliability and efficiency fire departments need—without the emissions. 

“The City of Madison Fire Department is very proud to have this truck. It's sustainable, it works just like any other apparatus, it’s safer for firefighters and it’s good for the environment. But, we also have the capabilities, if needed, to do a sustained operation through the diesel backup engine.” - Matt Wong, apparatus engineer, City of Madison Fire Department

As more departments look to modernize existing fleets, the Pierce Volterra EV’s proven capabilities make it a leading choice for the future of fire service operations.

Learn more about the electric fire apparatus by reviewing our comprehensive guide.

Madison’s Lasting Impact on Fire Service Innovation

Members of The City of Madison Fire Department stand together smiling in blue, casual fire station uniforms in front of the red Pierce Volterra electric fire truckAs municipalities continue to prioritize environmental goals, the success of the Pierce Volterra electric fire truck in Madison proves fire departments can transition to greener solutions without sacrificing performance.

“Together, we are leading the fire service industry into the future—one which prioritizes both emergency response excellence and environmental responsibility.” - Matt Sauter, business unit director, cab, chassis and electrical, Pierce Manufacturing


Madison’s commitment to testing, refining and deploying the Pierce Volterra electric fire truck demonstrates sustainability and operational excellence can go hand in hand.

Would your department like to explore the benefits of electric fire apparatus?

Here are some additional resources, which may be of interest:
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Posted: Jul 16, 2025 8:30:00 AM by Pierce Mfg.

Topics: Manufacturing

About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the Company's ability to successfully integrate the AeroTech acquisition and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; the risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;  the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate other acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

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Registered Trademark of Pierce Manufacturing Inc. Appleton, WI, USA an Oshkosh Corporation Business