Brampton’s debut electric fire truck is now on the road and the Ontario city has budgeted over $5 million to add two more to its fleet in 2024

A brand-new electric fire truck went into service in Brampton, Ont., this winter and before it even responded to its first call the city was preparing its finances to place an order for two more.

The Rosenbauer RTX electric fire truck is one of the few vehicles on the market that complies with current firefighting standards, says Brampton city staff, in a report filed to council last year. Staff is recommending the city approve over $5.4 million for the purchase of an additional two Rosenbauer electric fire trucks to replace aging combustion vehicles in the city’s fleet.

“This cutting-edge fire truck is not only revolutionizing emergency response but is also aligned with our dedication to a greener, cleaner future,” wrote the city of Brampton on social media in January.

Brampton is the second city in Canada to invest in electric fire trucks, following in the footsteps of Vancouver, which acquired a similar electric fire truck from Rosenbauer Group in 2023.

Zero emissions, superior design

Brampton’s journey to purchase the Rosenbauer electric fire truck began in 2021. At that time, the city earmarked roughly $1.6 million to procure the vehicle from the Austria-based manufacturer, Rosenbauer Group.

The vehicle is the only electric fire truck available that meets the criteria of Brampton’s fire service requirements, says the city.

In addition to operating with zero emissions, the truck moves more effectively through urban spaces, and is more ergonomically friendly for firefighters responding to emergencies.

It’s this combination of benefits that prompted Brampton’s Fire and Emergency Services department to request funding in the city’s 2024 budget for two more vehicles. That money was a line item in the budget when it got approval from council last December.

In total, the city aims to add 14 more electric and hybrid fire trucks to its fleet over the next three years according to a presentation given by Fire Services to council.

The department is looking to put three fully electric and four hybrid fire trucks into service this year.

By going electric with its fire trucks, Brampton estimates potential annual savings of at least $384,000 and 256 tonnes of CO2 emissions over each truck’s 12-year lifespan.