Colorado Fire Department Adds Electric Engine to Its Fleet

Boulder Fire-Rescue is in the process of making a big change in its department, literally.

In an official press release published on April 24, 2023, it was announced that the department has purchased an electric fire engine, the first of its kind in Colorado.

The state-of-the-art Rosenbauer RTX fire engine features an all-electric drivetrain and pump with a diesel energy backup system. Rosenbauer is the world's leading manufacturer of firefighting vehicles and equipment. The truck also includes a 500-750 gallon water tank.

The revolutionary technology built into the truck will allow the city to fight fires while safeguarding air quality and reducing climate-warming emissions. Both the Boulder community and the environment will benefit from its use.

Adding the electric engine also helps to create a more diverse firefighting workforce. The truck itself was created with the primary goal of improving occupational safety for all firefighters. Some of the new improvements include an adjustable suspension that offers lower equipment and cab access heights, all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering for increased maneuverability on the road, as well as an ergonomically designed cab space. Its design also helps to reduce exposure to carcinogenic fumes.

The engine will arrive in late 2024 or early 2025. The estimated cost is approximately $1.78 million. The money used towards the purchase has been saved up over time from the department’s budget to replace the fleet as necessary. Nearly all of Boulder Fire-Rescue’s budget is from the General Fund, made possible through sales and use tax collections.

The city of Los Angeles is already using this exact truck model in one of its fleets.