LA buys an EV fire truck for $1.2 million and it only runs for 2 hours on battery power

[repete]

"In addition to the electric drivetrain, the truck has a diesel range extender, which is a BMW 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit capable of 300 horsepower."
Notice they never use the word 'engine'? I guess that's now a lefty dirty word.

 

[Saltwater60]

"In addition to the electric drivetrain, the truck has a diesel range extender, which is a BMW 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit capable of 300 horsepower."
Notice they never use the word 'engine'? I guess that's now a lefty dirty word.

300 HP isn’t much for that truck.

 

[Grimscale]

300 HP isn’t much for that truck.

If they're smart all it does is power a generator that keeps the batteries topped off.

But, then again, this is L.A. "Smart" rarely enters the conversation.

 

[spat]

If they're smart all it does is power a generator that keeps the batteries topped off.

But, then again, this is L.A. "Smart" rarely enters the conversation.

That would be a 200kw generator, not a small thing

That would take up a significant part of the mechanical area of the truck.

Hopefully the 300HP motor is coupled directly to the pump gear to be able to run it independently from the electrical gear.

 

[Saltwater60]

That would be a 200kw generator, not a small thing

That would take up a significant part of the mechanical area of the truck.

Hopefully the 300HP motor is coupled directly to the pump gear to be able to run it independently from the electrical gear.

I agree. I can’t see how a generator could keep up on that size truck with that load. Between the weight of the truck, the use of the pumps, lights, and all that other crap I’ll bet it doesn’t keep up with it.

 

[spat]

I agree. I can’t see how a generator could keep up on that size truck with that load. Between the weight of the truck, the use of the pumps, lights, and all that other crap I’ll bet it doesn’t keep up with it.

This is what a generator powered by a 300 HP engine looks like.

It can certainly power all the stuff on the truck.

Especially once you consider that they'll have to pull half the stuff off the truck to make room for the generator....

200kW Diesel Generator Rental | Sunbelt Rentals

This 200kW diesel generator provides ideal power solutions for temporary, standby, and emergency power equipment.

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[99cummins]

LA’s new electric fire engine had a water tank failure. Didn’t make it a week. Although tank failures can happen on any engine. Personally not a Rosenbauer fan.

 

[Jmac]

New EV LAFD Pumper just blew its load major damage done

 

[Acer-m14]

don't they know Electric and Water don't mix well ..

LA’s new electric fire engine had a water tank failure. Didn’t make it a week. Although tank failures can happen on any engine. Personally not a Rosenbauer fan.
View attachment 160042

called it on page 1 .. LOL ..

 

[Acer-m14]

was it plugged in charging and now Cali is in a blackout ... LOL ..

 

[Saltwater60]

Hilarious it blew up.

 

[99cummins]

For context-FDIC is a large fire rescue conference held every year.

 

[99cummins]

 

[Saltwater60]

View attachment 160162

Oh it’s not uncommon, good to know.

 

[spat]

Oh it’s not uncommon, good to know.

I've worked with vendors like that.

OK, it may not be uncommon for you, but it's unheard of from your competitor.

 

[Acer-m14]

so a fire truck with a water tank ..

the tank cant hold the water and split on it own ?

or ..

they forgot the over flow port and filling it and it .. you know ruptured .. LOL ..


BTW .. what its a steel/alum/metal .. tank or a oil based plastic tank ??


hay i grew up on Fire Trucks LOL

 

[Truebeliever]

So I am not defending this piece of shit engine (that’s also fugly) but if they are going on ems runs, fire alarms, smells and bells calls with this electric engine it will likely have enough battery power to go on those calls. Even many fires in big career departments are picking up companies in an hour or so. My biggest bitch about the thing is a bunch of politicians spent 7-800,000 more of the taxpayers dollars on this electric engine vs a traditional diesel powered engine so they could say look how great we are. That money would have been better spent on multiple diesel powered engines or more staffing or training. I don’t care for politicians using tax payer dollars to fund their eco nazi dick swinging contest.

Actually, I heard of quite a few regular fire trucks costing about that amount. Did their department need another fire truck and they just picked this one?

 

[99cummins]

Actually, I heard of quite a few regular fire trucks costing about that amount. Did their department need another fire truck and they just picked this one?

Ladder trucks and rescues are in the $1 million area. Engines are in the $500k area. All the prices can vary depending on how much customization you do and what equipment you put on it. Line trucks will be cheaper than custom.

 

[99cummins]

so a fire truck with a water tank ..

the tank cant hold the water and split on it own ?

or ..

they forgot the over flow port and filling it and it .. you know ruptured .. LOL ..


BTW .. what its a steel/alum/metal .. tank or a oil based plastic tank ??


hay i grew up on Fire Trucks LOL

Looks like a poly tank on this one from the pictures.

 

[kev74]

View attachment 160162

This sounds like what they used to say about Kimbers... One or two trips back to the factory and its awesome!

 

[Saltwater60]

I can’t imagine how anyone could or would go through all this and have any question in their mind that the tank will or will not survive. We over engineer so much crap why not a water tank? How much more could it cost to make a water tank more robust?

 

[spat]

I can’t imagine how anyone could or would go through all this and have any question in their mind that the tank will or will not survive. We over engineer so much crap why not a water tank? How much more could it cost to make a water tank more robust?

My guess is the tank was fine, the overflow valve was sized too small and they filled it very quickly for testing.

5 inch line filling it, 4 inch overflow valve, pressure builds and it splits at a seam.

 

[kev74]

I can’t imagine how anyone could or would go through all this and have any question in their mind that the tank will or will not survive. We over engineer so much crap why not a water tank? How much more could it cost to make a water tank more robust?

About 25 years ago, the fire company I was in bought a plastic water tank for the brush truck. The first time we filled it, it split a seam. They fixed it and it split again. They fixed it again, put in a bigger over fill, reinforced it and it kept splitting over and over. Turns out we were the first customer for this new tank they started making.

Some of this stuff is made in such limited quantities, they're essentially custom, that the customer is the test.

This was probably an established company that was asked to make a tank for a new application. Or the brand new truck flexes more in a way that wasn't anticipated and stressed the tank.

 

[Saltwater60]

About 25 years ago, the fire company I was in bought a plastic water tank for the brush truck. The first time we filled it, it split a seam. They fixed it and it split again. They fixed it again, put in a bigger over fill, reinforced it and it kept splitting over and over. Turns out we were the first customer for this new tank they started making.

Some of this stuff is made in such limited quantities, they're essentially custom, that the customer is the test.

This was probably an established company that was asked to make a tank for a new application. Or the brand new truck flexes more in a way that wasn't anticipated and stressed the tank.

I’m surprised they aren’t metal tanks.

 

[Jmac]

View attachment 160162

In my 50 years as Past Chief and firefighter have never seen or heard of my department or other Fire depts. having tank ruptures, maybe be a leak from rusted areas that’s about it. Some of our engines have poly tanks with zero issues

 

[Truebeliever]

Ladder trucks and rescues are in the $1 million area. Engines are in the $500k area. All the prices can vary depending on how much customization you do and what equipment you put on it. Line trucks will be cheaper than custom.

A friend of a friend is involved in the purchases of the FDNY trucks- a million or more is the going rate for an engine for them.

 

[spat]

I’m surprised they aren’t metal tanks.

Metal is stronger, but it rusts and it's heavier.

There are always tradeoffs.

 

[stokes]

Probably will never be put in service, just an expensive show piece.

 

[99cummins]

A friend of a friend is involved in the purchases of the FDNY trucks- a million or more is the going rate for an engine for them.

I don’t doubt it. Lots of variables. Department south of us just got a new rescue pumper for between $5-600k. But I know it was a line truck which helped the cost. Another dept near us just put their $1.4ish million rescue in service. And I know prices have been creeping up on fire apparatus (because what hasn’t gone up) so my numbers might be low.

 

[spat]

I don’t doubt it. Lots of variables. Department south of us just got a new rescue pumper for between $5-600k. But I know it was a line truck which helped the cost. Another dept near us just put their $1.4ish million rescue in service. And I know prices have been creeping up on fire apparatus (because what hasn’t gone up) so my numbers might be low.

You can pay over $100k for an off the lot pickup truck.

$1M seems like a bargain for a custom spec fire engine by comparison.