If your fire department is considering the possibility of adding an electric fire truck to its fleet, you may be wondering:

• What charging infrastructure is required for an electric fire truck?
• How does it fit into my existing fleet and station?
• How much power is required to charge an electric fire truck?
• How much preparation is needed to get the truck up and running?

Rest assured, the process of integrating an electric fire truck into your department can run as seamlessly as adding any other type of fire apparatus.

Below, we outline some of the key considerations associated with purchasing an electric fire truck and how Pierce Manufacturing supports the process.

Adding an Electric Fire Truck to a Department Fleet

Whenever a fire department is adding a truck to its fleet, there is preparation involved to ensure a new truck can be up and running as soon as it arrives. This can include paperwork, planning, station re-configuration, time and resources. Adding an electric fire truck is no different—ultimately, it comes down to planning and power.

Planning

The planning phase of adding an electric apparatus to your fleet starts with a discussion of the future. Before you invest in infrastructure, you first need to consider the right investment for now, five years from now and beyond.

• What will the needs of your community be in the future?
• Within the flow of your station, where does a new apparatus fit in?
• Will your station add additional electric vehicles in the future for staff or local response?

Adding an electric fire truck to a fleet doesn’t necessarily translate into more planning steps, but to promote efficiency over time, it may involve discussions around future energy goals and objectives.

Power

To appropriately power the Pierce® Volterra™ platform of electric vehicles, a fire station will need 480-volt three-phase power to support the charging infrastructure. This is standard for most commercial power applications. If 480-volt power is not available, it can be accomplished with a step-up transformer.

Learn more about the story behind the technology.

Electric Fire Truck Charging Infrastructure

When you choose to purchase a Pierce Volterra electric fire truck, you’re not just investing in a truck; you're investing in a complete electric solution.

Pierce representatives align experts to support your needs so you can focus on your daily work and not on the technical details of your new apparatus. This includes:

• Assessing your fire station to understand the electric fire truck and charging infrastructure requirements.
• Working with your local utility to establish the right sized power source and coordinate any necessary updates to support the charging infrastructure.
• A seamless installation process, which allows fire departments to work with one team from concept to commissioning with transparent and open communication.

Learn more about procuring an electric fire truck with our free EV reference guide.

Charging Infrastructure Installation

When it comes time to install the charging infrastructure, the fire department will need to consider placement and installation requirements.

Why is Overhead Charging Recommended?

Fire departments are no strangers to cords and infrastructure overhead. Following this familiarity, departments with an electric fire truck in service see the benefits of integrating overhead charging stations for electric vehicles.

Overhead charging is beneficial because it doesn’t take up valuable floor space, it reduces trip hazards for firefighters in high traffic areas and it increases overall safety.

What is Required of the Fire Department?

Pierce will work with a fire department to determine the right energy requirements to support an electric fire apparatus as part of the planning process. The fire department then works directly with their preferred local utility installation team to get the charging infrastructure into place.

Whether you purchase a traditional or electric apparatus, fire departments often have to work through municipal permits and paperwork. Pierce recommends initiating infrastructure planning nine to twelve months in advance of truck arrival to account for paperwork, equipment orders and installation time.

In terms of on-site preparations, charging solutions are tailored to provide an unobtrusive installation. Ideally, a fire department should have adequate overhead space to account for charging equipment. Additionally, fire departments must plan for internal or external space on the property to house a high voltage cabinet roughly the size of a large refrigerator.

Learn more about EV charging procedures and feedback from Portland Fire & Rescue in this case study.

Charging Infrastructure Maintenance

Anytime new equipment or apparatus is purchased, there is always a question of maintenance. With the Pierce Volterra EV, maintenance is straightforward.

Operational Maintenance

Are special tools required for operational maintenance? The simple answer is no. There is not an extensive amount of necessary maintenance because there are not many moving parts.

The one thing a fire department will have to do annually is to clean the filter. Much like a furnace in a residential property, the cabinet needs air flow to keep it cool. Cleaning the filter annually will help maintain optimal performance.

Operational Cost

Perhaps the most important consideration with an electric vehicle is the operational cost. Much of the cost depends on the local community and its commercial power costs.

Departments will need to work with their local electric utility provider to understand these costs and prepare the best solution.

Depending on available space at the station and the local utility costs and constraints, there are several options to consider for renewable energy:

• Solar energy to offset energy usage from the utility and increase sustainability.
• Stationary Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to optimize energy costs from the utility (i.e. charge the battery when rates are low to be used when they are high and to cut demand charges) and offer resiliency.
• Microgrids, which combine solar energy and a BESS, are sized to optimize energy usage / costs, sustainability and increase resiliency and reliability.

Software Maintenance

When charging infrastructure is installed in a fire station, the system software helps manage the charging process and streamline efficiencies.

With the support of the chosen energy partner, fire department representatives learn how to use the software to help manage the charging infrastructure. The software platform provides:

• Battery life information, including charging recommendations.
• Predictive data on energy usage and optimal charging times.
• Indications of required operational checks and maintenance.

The software system takes the guesswork out of vehicle charging in a simple, easy to manage tool that keeps operations running smoothly.

Pierce Manufacturing is invested in advancing technology and the future of electric vehicles. We are continually working to improve our products and technologies to ensure they exceed the needs of our customers and are designed to support the firefighters who protect our local communities.

Is an electric fire truck the right choice for your fire department?

Learn more about the Pierce® Volterra™ platform of electric fire trucks or contact your local dealer today.