Munich EV fire truck proves ready after a year of service
A year in service: TUM’s electric fire truck proves its worth
Munich EV fire truck proves ready after a year of service
After a year on call, TUM’s electric fire truck proved reliable, powerful, and easy to operate. Biodiesel generator and quiet pumps plus planned solar charging.
2025-11-02T21:57:40+03:00
2025-11-02T21:57:40+03:00
2025-11-02T21:57:40+03:00
The fire service at the Technical University of Munich has wrapped up a yearlong trial of an electric fire truck, and the outcome surpassed expectations. After 12 months of active duty, the team concluded that the EV is fully suited to emergency work: dependable, powerful, and straightforward to operate. The verdict reads as a clear green light rather than a cautious nod.Early doubts centered on range, charging time, and reliability under heavy load. Over the course of testing, those concerns were put to rest. The truck is fitted with a biodiesel auxiliary generator that prevents the battery from running low during extended calls, adding a welcome layer of autonomy.The electric powertrain delivers 360 kW (490 hp) and is set up for medium-length runs of up to 30 minutes. Across the year, most callouts were within 2.5 km—comfortably handled on electric power alone. In the rare longer operations, the biodiesel generator engaged automatically to keep all systems running without interruption. That short-radius duty cycle plays directly to an electric drivetrain’s strengths.Beyond the specs, crews highlighted the quiet operation and lack of vibration, which made communication easier and reduced fatigue. Even the pump ran more quietly, contributing to safer conditions for both firefighters and residents.The next step is to install solar panels for on-site charging at the base. That move aims to make operations fully sustainable while trimming running costs further.After a full year in the field, the message is clear: electric fire engines aren’t a distant promise but a working reality with the potential to reshape emergency services worldwide.
electric fire truck, EV fire engine, Technical University of Munich, TUM, emergency services, biodiesel generator, quiet operation, solar charging, 360 kW power, reliability, range, trial results
2025
Michael Powers
news
A year in service: TUM’s electric fire truck proves its worth
After a year on call, TUM’s electric fire truck proved reliable, powerful, and easy to operate. Biodiesel generator and quiet pumps plus planned solar charging.
Michael Powers, Editor
The fire service at the Technical University of Munich has wrapped up a yearlong trial of an electric fire truck, and the outcome surpassed expectations. After 12 months of active duty, the team concluded that the EV is fully suited to emergency work: dependable, powerful, and straightforward to operate. The verdict reads as a clear green light rather than a cautious nod.
Early doubts centered on range, charging time, and reliability under heavy load. Over the course of testing, those concerns were put to rest. The truck is fitted with a biodiesel auxiliary generator that prevents the battery from running low during extended calls, adding a welcome layer of autonomy.
The electric powertrain delivers 360 kW (490 hp) and is set up for medium-length runs of up to 30 minutes. Across the year, most callouts were within 2.5 km—comfortably handled on electric power alone. In the rare longer operations, the biodiesel generator engaged automatically to keep all systems running without interruption. That short-radius duty cycle plays directly to an electric drivetrain’s strengths.
Beyond the specs, crews highlighted the quiet operation and lack of vibration, which made communication easier and reduced fatigue. Even the pump ran more quietly, contributing to safer conditions for both firefighters and residents.
The next step is to install solar panels for on-site charging at the base. That move aims to make operations fully sustainable while trimming running costs further.
After a full year in the field, the message is clear: electric fire engines aren’t a distant promise but a working reality with the potential to reshape emergency services worldwide.
