Electric vehicles are all well and fine for the average commuter. But heavy-duty users like fire departments surely need something a little more robust… right?
Well they might for the actual fire trucks (though Nikola might have a solution for that eventually as well). But those big fire trucks aren’t the only vehicles fire fighters use. Some just need to get around town to perform inspections, meet with officials down at city hall, or supervise scenes where fire fighters are at work. So for those applications, the London Fire Brigade has acquired a fleet of BMW i3 electric vehicles.
All told, the department has ordered 52 of them. Along with another five hybrids of undisclosed make and model, they’re earmarked to replace the 60 Vauxhall Astras the service currently uses. The Bimmers are expected to remain in service for the next five years and come complete with range-extender gasoline generators, special yellow and red livery, blue strobe lights, and sirens.
“I am proud that the Brigade is leading the move from diesel to electric, which will make a big difference to the air quality for Londoners,” said fire commissioner Ron Dobson. “Who knows, perhaps in the future we will also be the first Brigade to run a fleet of electric fire engines.”