The vehicle left the port of Zeebrugge, in Belgium, bound for the country, where it is expected to arrive at the end of January. To materialize this pioneering initiative, the institution has had the support of SQM Litio and Copec Voltex, motivated by their commitment to electromobility.
Latin America's first electric fire truck
The Santiago Fire Department (CBS) has taken a historic step in its commitment to innovation and sustainability with the shipment from the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium, of the Rosenbauer RTX, the first electric fire engine to operate in Latin America. This advancement, supported by SQM Lithium and Copec Voltex , reaffirms the pioneering spirit that has inspired the institution throughout its more than 160-year history and its dedication to incorporating cutting-edge technologies for the protection and safety of the community.
“This electric fire truck, which will be integrated into the Santiago Fire Department's fleet of vehicles, is a symbol of the ongoing effort to improve operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the activities we carry out. Equipped with the latest technology in electromobility, it is not only a milestone in terms of innovation, but also an example of CBS's commitment to a cleaner and more sustainable future,” says the Superintendent of the Santiago Fire Department, Gabriel Huerta Torres.
Santiago Firefighters move toward a more sustainable fleet
The project was commissioned to the 5th Fire Company of Santiago and involves an investment of close to 1,5 million dollars, an amount that included tripartite financing, with contributions from the private companies SQM Litio and Copec Voltex, in addition to CBS itself.
The arrival of the machine, which is expected to land in Chile at the end of January, reinforces CBS's commitment to electromobility, which includes the signing in 2023 of an agreement on this matter with the companies SQM Litio, Copec, BMW and Kia, in addition to the incorporation of three electric vehicles of the latter brand for the Command.
The acquisition of the electric pump truck is part of a broader strategic plan aimed at incorporating electromobility into its operations, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions and moving towards a more sustainable and modern fleet.
Support from SQM Lithium and Copec Voltex
The realization of this project has the support of two key players in the energy sector: SQM Litio and Copec Voltex. Both companies have played a fundamental role in the arrival of the first electric fire engine in Latin America , providing not only financing, but also the necessary technical and logistical support for its operation.
“Electromobility is a global challenge, and at SQM Lithium we contribute to the production of sustainable, high-quality lithium that is available on every continent. We are a global contributor to this electromobility chain, but we are also interested in contributing locally, particularly with the first fire engine in Latin America, in conjunction with the Santiago Fire Department and the 5th Company . Because when different efforts come together in innovation and trying new things, that's where we like to be,” explained José Miguel Berguño, Senior VP of Corporate Services at SQM Lithium.
Electromobility with a Chilean seal
“Receiving the first electric fire truck in Latin America is an initiative that is directly related to what SQM Litio has been promoting for some time, which is to popularize electromobility in Chile. Santiago Firefighters contribute to the community and we are proud to help them in this contribution, putting out fires with a significant reduction in water use and carbon footprint,” added María Ignacia López, Corporate Affairs Manager at SQM Litio.
“At Copec, we are convinced that concrete actions are needed to accelerate the energy transition. That's why we are so happy to participate in the milestone of the first 100% electric fire truck . And at Copec, we are proud to contribute what we do best: enabling the necessary charging infrastructure so that this vehicle can operate safely, quickly, and efficiently,” added Andrea Castro, General Manager of Copec Voltex.
The features of the machine
The RTX model from the Austrian firm Rosenbauer is 100% electric and has a backup to extend operations for more than four hours. Other features include that it is a 4×4 machine, with a turning radius 50% smaller than a traditional truck, since the rear wheels can be configured to follow the turn, with a series of functionalities designed around firefighting work.
Among its benefits for field work is that, in the place of an emergency, its suspensions are lowered and remain at ground level to allow easy access to the drawers.
The vehicle, which can seat nine people, has a power capacity of 132 kWh and can pump 5.600 litres of water per minute. Its batteries can be recharged in just 45 minutes.
More Information
If you are interested in learning more about our electromobility projects, you can visit our latest news.
