Μετά την αστυνομία του Los Angeles που παρήγγειλε 100 BMW i3, στην λύση του γερμανικού ηλεκτρικού αυτοκινήτου στράφηκε και το βρετανικό πυροσβεστικό σώμα, καθώς παρέλαβε 52 i3, με σκοπό να αντικαταστήσει τα γερασμένα 60 πετρελαιοκίνητα Vauxhall/Opel Astra.
Τα αυτοκίνητα, μαζί με 5 επιπλέον -αγνώστου ταυτότητας- υβριδικά, θα χρησιμοποιηθούν για περιπολίες, για εκτελεστικά καθήκοντα κλπ., εντός της βρετανικής βρετανικής πρωτεύουσας. Ο κύκλος ζωής τους αναμένεται να είναι πέντε χρόνια, με το πυροσβεστικό σώμα να επιλέγει το REx μοντέλο, με τον κινητήρα εσωτερικής καύσης που λειτουργεί ως γεννήτρια αποκλειστικά για τη φόρτιση των μπαταριών.
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Brigade first in London to turn all blue light cars ‘green’
We have rolled out a fleet of electric cars in a bid to make it the most environmentally friendly fire brigade in the country.
Fire officers will use a fleet of 52 ultra low emission BMWi3 ranger-extender model cars and a further 5 hybrid cars to attend emergency incidents and other Brigade business across the capital.
Faster and greener
The i3 cars are LFB branded and fitted with blue lights and sirens. They can reach top speeds of 90 mph and go from 0 to 80 mph in seconds and are set to make the us faster and greener.
Taking on the vehicles means we have achieved our ambition to become a ‘Go Ultra Low Company’ – with a commitment to operate low emission vehicles on at least 5% of its fleet by 2020.
The vehicles will remain part of our fleet for five years, covering an average of 7000 miles a year and will replace a fleet of 60 Vauxhall Astras. It is thought that there are approximately 80,000 electric cars on Britain’s roads.
Strong support
London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson, said: “Officers often travel at speed across London, so it was essential the cars could stand up to the rigours of being a blue light vehicle, as well as having green credentials.
“I am proud that the Brigade is leading the move from diesel to electric, which will make a big difference to the air quality for Londoners.
“In our 150th year, while celebrating our past we’re also investing in the future and it’s vital that we adopt policies today that future generations will thank us for.
“Who knows, perhaps in the future we will also be the first Brigade to run a fleet of electric fire engines.”
Transport Minister John Hayes said: “I am pleased that the London Fire Brigade has incorporated electric vehicles into its fleet and is using them to respond to critical incidents.
“Plug-in vehicles are better for the environment and cost-effective to run, and they can be used for a wide range of purposes.
“I am proud to say that we have pledged more than £600m to support the electric vehicle industry up until 2020, including funding for nearly 180 electric vehicles being used by emergency services, hospitals and councils across England and Wales, as part of our goal to make almost all cars and vans zero-emission by 2050.”
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “With nearly 10,000 Londoners dying early every year in London due to exposure to air pollution, I’m delighted to see the London Fire Brigade take this fantastic first step towards becoming the greenest fire brigade in the UK. This will make a vital contribution in improving the quality of life for millions of Londoners.”
Staff can charge their cars at 73 fire stations across London. The cars also charge as they drive and the battery of the range extender cars can be topped up via a petrol powered generator.
The hybrid cars have an electric and petrol powered engine. However, officers using the cars have reported hardly ever having to use petrol.
The Brigade is also exploring the potential for electric and hydrogen vehicles with a view to trialling low-emission hybrid vans in early 2017.
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