Toronto Fire Services orders electric Vector pumper trucks

Toronto Fire Services has ordered two all-electric Vector fire trucks from Spartan Emergency Response, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. (Photo: Business Wire)

Toronto Fire Services has ordered two all-electric Vector fire trucks from Safetek Emergency Vehicles Ltd., authorized dealer for REV Group subsidiary Spartan Emergency Response. Upon delivery of the trucks, the fire department will become one of the first in Canada to have fully electric, North American-style pumper trucks in its fleet. In addition, the vehicles will help support the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy, an effort by the City of Toronto to achieve net-zero emissions on a community-wide basis by 2040.

“Since 1993, we’ve responded to our customers’ apparatus needs and are proud to develop leading technology that supports firefighter safety, efficiency and progressive climate action strategies,” said John Witt, president of Safetek Emergency Vehicles Ltd. “We’re pleased to be contributing to the City of Toronto’s vision for a net-zero emissions community by delivering two of the first North American-style fully electric trucks in Canada.”

“Toronto Fire Services is pleased to be working with Safetek and Spartan Emergency Response on the design and delivery of our first fully electric pumper trucks,” commented Chief Matthew Pegg of Toronto Fire Services. “These trucks will have the same functionality and capabilities as our other pumper trucks but will leverage leading-edge electric vehicle technology.”

Introduced in August 2021, the Vector fire truck is equipped with the same components used on diesel-driven fire apparatus and designed for daily fire service uses. It features 327 kWh automotive-grade batteries that will enable crews to accomplish typical driving and pumping tasks using only electrically generated power. The battery management system manages and ensures batteries are always charged. Low battery cell placement on the vehicle maintains a lower center of gravity and enhanced stability during operation.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the CAN/ULC-S515 Standard for Automobile Fire Fighting Apparatus and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901 – Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, the Vector battery storage solution allows for a complete NFPA-compliant pump test.