A fire truck that performs in much the same way as its diesel-powered counterparts but boasts zero net carbon emissions is currently being piloted by the Madison Fire Department.
Although the Pierce Volterra zero-emissions pumper won't be ready for a full rollout until about 2023, the Madison Fire Department is partnering with the truck's maker, Pierce Manufacturing, a subsidiary of the Oshkosh Corp., to test its real-world function and efficacy.
Steven Davis, Madison's fire chief, said the truck has so far outperformed his expectations. On May 21, when the Volterra was first put into service, the battery charge didn't drop below 74 percent, Davis said. It charged quickly on return to the station in between 12 calls in 24 hours. "(That) told me instantly that we've got this designed the right way for battery capacity," he said.
Batteries at zero percent can be fully charged in 90 minutes, Davis said.