Australia’s first zero-emissions emergency services vehicle has been unveiled at the Australasian Fire and Authorities Conference in Brisbane, Queensland.
Volvo Group has supplied the green logistics vehicle to the ACT Emergency Services Agency, and it will be used for operational support to fire and rescue teams in the national capital.
The Volvo FL Electric is a solid and nimble truck designed for urban and city environments.
“This is a significant milestone for the ACT,” says ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman.
“Transitioning emergency services operational support vehicles to zero-emissions vehicles is a crucial step to achieving our government’s nation-leading target of net-zero emissions by 2045.”
ACT Fire & Rescue has welcomed the new truck as part of the department’s commitment to a cleaner and greener future.
“The delivery of this co-designed vehicle is a significant step in our journey to lowering emissions within our emergency services fleet,” says ACT Fire & Rescue chief officer Matthew Mavity.
“As we transition our fleet, we are excited to improve our environmental footprint and improve safety and wellbeing for our staff and volunteers.
“I would like to recognise and thank the project team, including firefighters from ACT Fire & Rescue, who demonstrated leadership and innovation in the design and delivery of this vehicle.”
Volvo Group Australia president Martin Merrick has praised the ACT Emergency Services Agency for its early adoption of a zero-emissions logistics vehicle.
“Transport accounts for 19 per cent of Australia’s carbon emissions, and 38 per cent of that is from road vehicles,” he says.
“With this project, government and emergency services are leading by example in moving to net-zero vehicles.”
Following initial Volvo driver development training and vehicle implementation processes, the first vehicle is expected to go into operational service in and around the ACT in early 2024.