Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services is committed to supporting the City of Mississauga’s Climate Change Action Plan and working to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their goals when deciding to purchase their first EV fire truck included reducing GHG emissions, reducing fuel consumption and reducing noise.
Here’s a comprehensive list of information regarding this all-electric vehicle.

How much did it cost?
Approximately twice the price of a conventionally powered apparatus or approximately $2M, withthe cost of an equivalent petrol fire truck being approximately $1.2M

What is the gross vehicle weight of the EV vs petrol?
The net added weight of the EV related components, (battery, motors, etc.) results in the addition of approximately 2,000lbs to the gross vehicle weight to the existing GVW of 30,000 lbs.

What is the max range of the EV compared to the range of a petrol truck?
Because the Volterra has a backup diesel engine, the total range (EV + diesel) is greater than a traditional unit solely powered by a diesel engine. The electric range is expected to be approximately 60 miles (100km). The unit will automatically switch to diesel engine power should the battery become depleted. No driver intervention is required.
The estimated range in a petrol truck would be 500-600km in optimal conditions.

How much of that range will be reduced once the EV is has people and equipment on board?
The estimated range accounts for a fully loaded truck.

Does the EV have regenerative braking capabilities?
Yes.

What is the top speed of the EV?
Top speed is limited to 105 km/h.

What is the charging time from 0 to 100% and 10 to 80%?
A 90 minute charge cycle will fully restore the battery to full capacity using a DC fast charger.

What is the max charging speed the EV is capable of?
Although we have not yet purchased our DC Fast Charger, we are expecting a fast charge rate of 150kW

What is the battery size in kWh?
The latest battery design integrated into the Volterra offers 244 kilowatt /hours (kWh) of energy.

Does the EV truck use special tires?
No, this unit will have many of the same parts as our standard fleet.

How many different EV models were there to choose from?
In 2023 MFES issued a competitive tender (Request For Proposal) for a 5-year contract for the supply of Emergency Apparatus, which included the option for electrification. Four bid submissions were received. Commercial Emergency Equipment Co., the Canadian dealer for Pierce manufacturing was the highest ranked vendor and was awarded the contract.

Our goals when selecting and purchasing our first EV fire truck included:

· Reduce emissions, reduce fuel consumption and reduce noise

· Ability to perform in all operating conditions

· Familiar operation to the rest of the fleet

· No compromise performance

Which fire station will house the EV?
Fire Station 125 (6627 Tenth Line) located in Ward 9. This station is scheduled to open in late summer 2024, and will be the new home of the City's first electric fire truck but it will also be the City's first net zero energy fire station. mississauga.ca/station125

Is there an existing EV charging station at the above fire station or will one have to be installed?
The new station will include the necessary infrastructure to support a charging station for the electric fire truck. The charger has not yet been installed, it will be procured and installed 2024. It will be a DC Fast charger capable of recharging the unit in 90 minutes.

If it has to be installed, what brand is being used and what is the cost of the unit plus installation?
We have not yet procured the equipment.

Are there any other alternative propulsion (hybrid/plug-in hybrid) vehicles that MFES uses? If so, which vehicles?
Yes. MFES has recently purchased two fully electric Ford E-Transit Commercial vans for our Facility Maintenance Technicians, and one fully electric Ford Lightning pick up truck for our Training Division. In addition, we operate a fleet of Hybrid vehicles used by our Command team and Fire Prevention team, which includes six (6) Toyota Highlander Hybrids and five (5) Ford Escape Hybrids.

How much fuel savings will this EV generate over the course of one year?
Once the unit is in service, we will be closely monitoring fuel consumption. A significant reduction in fuel consumption is expected.

What is the horsepower and torque of the EV?
The Volterra electric driveline architecture provides performance to the rear drive axle that aligns with typical pumpers using 400-450 h.p. diesel engines.
Torque figures haven’t been released by the manufacturer yet.

petrol fire truck. image via city of mississauga

Will it be used as a primary or secondary vehicle for call responses?
This truck will operate as a Front Line Pumper.

How much travel does the truck have in being raised/lowered?
The Volterra is based on the same chassis as our current apparatus, there is no change in ride height.

What is the expected life cycle for the EV?
Life cycle is expected to be equivalent to any other apparatus in the fleet, 12-15 years.

Pierce Volterra Electric Pumper. image via pierce

When will the EV hit the streets and will there be special driver training required?
One of the advantages of purchasing a North American-Style apparatus is that it looks and operates virtually the same as the rest of our Fleet without operational compromise, minimizing the need for extensive training. We are expecting delivery in late 2024.

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