The future is electric, sustainable and ready to happen – right now.
With protecting the environment an issue that’s on everyone’s global agenda, Interschutz 2022 gave Rosenbauer the platform to showcase a raft of appliances and equipment that unmistakably positions us as a world-class innovator with our finger firmly on the pulse of sustainability.
And with government and local authorities driving forward their net zero targets, visitors to Intershutz were able to see for themselves that sustainable appliances, equipment, and even robotics, are not just aspirational CAD-drawn concepts but fully conceived, ready-to-order assets.
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Safety at a distance – the challenge of increased EV ownership
Already seen at our recent Tech Day in Holmfirth, the new EV battery fire extinguishing system demonstrated at Interschutz shows that Rosenbauer is already addressing the changing trends brought about increased electric vehicle ownership. The RFC extinguisher is designed to help firefighters swiftly and effectively cool fires caused by lithium-ion batteries safely from a distance by dispersing controlled jets of water under the vehicle through this remotely activated device.
Firefighter safety underpins the design of all our innovations so our development of robotics addresses those highly hazardous incidents where remote-controlled access is needed. Interschutz gave us the opportunity to demonstrate the RTE robot, a wireless, remotely controlled, electrically driven multi-functional crawler vehicle.
Designed not just to enter dangerous settings, this is also a highly capable logistics carrying device. It can also lay a hose line and, when fitted with the compact RM15 monitor, be used as a powerful extinguishing tool, delivering water and foam flow rates up to 2,000 litres/min at 10 bar and a throw range of 47m. The RTE can also be fitted with our high-performance, super-light BT16 PPV fan, weighing just 29kg, which uses all-in-one airflow technologies to provide up to 60 minutes’ ventilation without external power supply.
Another world first – the L32A-AS Electric ladder
Visitors also saw the unveiling of the world’s first electric ladder on a fully electric series chassis – the Volvo FE Electric. Fully energy self-sufficient, the drive concept consists of three electric motors for travel and auxiliary drive, which draw their energy from three lithium-ion batteries. We envisage this becoming an important element to firefighter appliances in the near future as more fire authorities look to invest in vehicles which also feature electric-powered equipment.
The RT Electric – the most modern emergency vehicle in the world
Revolutionary in every way, it was no surprise the RT made a much-anticipated appearance at Interschutz, thanks to its proven credentials as an ultra-modern solution to the challenges of designing powerful yet sustainable firefighting appliances.
What makes the RT so revolutionary is that it has been completely redesigned, re-imagined and reconfigured. The result is a future-forward sustainable appliance with superb driving dynamics, vehicle safety and manoeuvrability, with a host of features such as its 150kW rapid charging capacity, unique crew-cabin design, easy-access step-in ergonomics and integrated LED lighting strips.
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The AT Electric – an eco-variant on this advanced, super-sized appliance
With its super-sized dimensions and feature-packed advanced technology, the AT has always been an outstanding all-rounder. Now Rosenbauer has taken the model further with the AT Electric, featuring an aluminium body built on a Volvo 4×2 chassis with automatic transmission powered by 225kW continuous (850kW peak). Offering a double cab for 1–8 crew, low-pressure Rosenbauer pump, near and distant ambient LED lighting and full digital comms connectivity, the AT Electric sets a new benchmark for electric appliances with a more traditional build and aesthetics.
The PANTHER Electric – the future of all-electric ARFF appliances
Not only is the PANTHER marking its 30th year as one of the world’s leading ARFF appliances but at Interschutz we gave visitors a glimpse into the next generation of e-drive PANTHERS. A real showstopper, the new PANTHER Electric brings all the features of this iconic appliance into a new electric configuration, with all the power, torque and driver handling that the current combustion-engine model is renowned for. As with existing models, this can be specified in a range of 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 variants.
Speak to the experts
For information on appliances mentioned in this article, please contact alex.dryden@rosenbauer.com, and for products and equipment contact andrew.smith@rosenbauer.com Rosenbauer UK is based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.
For more information, go to www.rosenbauer.com
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