World’s first Scania BEV CrewCab headed to Australia

News

3 Sept

Scania Australia is a proud and longstanding partner of fire authorities around the country, with significant fleets of vehicles in service in every state.

Key to the long-term relationships has been the safe, strong and practical Scania CrewCab, which can accommodate a fire crew in comfort, even if wearing breathing apparatus. Crews have long praised the Scania CrewCab for its ease of entry and egress, even when fully kitted-up, not least because the fold-out steps at the rear cab doors make exiting the vehicle safer and faster.

“When every second counts, fire crews know they can rely on Scania’s CrewCab, which is why we are delighted to advise that a battery electric Scania CrewCab is currently in the works and will be headed to Australia in the very near future,” says Benjamin Nye, Director of Sales for Scania Trucks in Australia.

The Battery Electric Vehicle version of the Scania CrewCab will be the first of its kind in the world, and Australia will be among the very first markets to receive this specification, when it goes into production shortly. The specification will be similar to the 25 P BEV trucks that Scania Australia has already imported into the country for mining customers and will be in a 4x2 axle configuration.

The CP31 CrewCab will be based on the traditional and much-loved P-series CrewCab and will be mated to a medium duty metropolitan pumper body.

“We are in the process of finalising the details of the first order for an Australian fire authority and we are very much looking forward to being able to bring this specification to Australia,” Ben says. “Obviously the benefits for a battery-powered CrewCab fire appliance need no explanation,” Ben says. “The operational environment for fire appliances lend themselves well to BEV technology, given they spend most of their time at a fire station and can therefore be on charge for long periods. In addition, most fire trucks travel only short distances to fight fires or assist at motor vehicle accidents. For auxiliary elements such as pumps, an electric motor would provide plenty of power.

“We very much look forward to offering fire authorities around Australia an early look at the first Scania BEV CrewCab to arrive.”

(FOOTNOTE: I’ve never driven a Fire Engine, Scania. Hint, hint.)