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Electric ARFF Vehicle Performance: Understanding The Striker® Volterra™ EV Battery Capabilities

Posted by Oshkosh Airport Products on Aug 22, 2024 10:00:00 AM

Striker-Volterra-Electric-ARFF-Battery-Life-bannerGiven the urgent and unpredictable nature of emergency responses, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles must be reliable and ready to perform at any moment. It's no surprise range anxiety and overall EV battery capabilities are common concerns when it comes to electric ARFF trucks.  

Recognizing this concern, Oshkosh Airport Products engineered the Oshkosh® Striker® Volterra™ electric ARFF with advanced EV battery technology, offering a reliable and consistent performance no matter how long the response time. Keep reading to discover how Striker Volterra’s EV battery ensures the same reliability and performance as traditional combustion-powered ARFF trucks.

How the Striker Volterra’s EV Battery Enhances ARFF Vehicle Performance and Reliability

Dual Capabilities

The Striker Volterra electric ARFF features an Electro-Mechanical transmission that enables it to switch between EV mode and an internal combustion engine. Oshkosh's patented electric drivetrain supports zero-emissions operation using onboard batteries and can combine with the internal combustion engine to provide uninterrupted power to both the pumping and drive systems.

This dual functionality allows the ARFF vehicle to leverage the EV battery for zero-emission operation while still meeting high-performance requirements. For example, it can travel to an aircraft fire site using electric power and then automatically switch to the combustion engine for maximum water pumping capacity during firefighting, offering pumping capabilities for more than two hours at full-rated discharge.

Increased Acceleration

The Striker Volterra electric ARFF offers a faster acceleration due to its unique ability to utilize power from an onboard EV battery as well as the vehicle's engine. While a conventional Striker ARFF can accelerate from 0-50 mph in about 32 seconds, the fully loaded Striker Volterra electric ARFF in its heaviest configuration can obtain the same speed in under 25 seconds.

User-Friendly and Reliable Operations

The Striker Volterra's EV battery seamlessly integrates with the legacy features of any conventional Striker ARFF vehicle, offering user-friendly operations without requiring additional training for firefighters. The truck automatically switches between electric and performance power modes, ensuring the vehicle maintains optimal performance without the need for firefighter intervention.

Learn everything you need to know about the Striker Volterra electric ARFF’s operational performance.

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Striker Volterra Electric ARFF’s Advanced Technology and EV Battery Capabilities

The following are the operational capabilities of the Striker Volterra electric ARFF’s advanced EV battery technology: 

  • SOC (state of charge) Management: Automatically maintains battery charge to ensure all operational scenarios are achieved without performance degradation, allowing airport firefighters to focus on their mission without additional stress.
  • Convenient EV Battery Charging Capabilities: Unlike vehicles that need a costly DC fast charger, the Striker Volterra electric ARFF can maintain full performance using either a 240 V or 480 V AC power source, both of which are commonly available in standard fire stations without requiring significant infrastructure investments.
  • Standby Mode: The EV battery system can operate for over six hours without the engine or external power, maintaining full functionality of cab heating, cooling, electrical, air and hydraulic systems. When the battery charge is low, the internal combustion engine will automatically activate to ensure optimal performance and readiness.
  • Zero Emission Range: The EV battery allows for all daily driving on a single charge without needing recharging from an external power source or the onboard diesel engine. This capability allows for full electric operation for all primary and daily driving needs.

Explore more advanced features and capabilities of the Striker Volterra electric ARFF.

Benefits of the Striker Volterra’s EV Battery Technology

The following are some key benefits of the Striker Volterra’s EV battery technology:

  • Reduces the vehicle’s carbon footprint by 75% when charged with clean, renewable energy compared to a conventional internal combustion engine ARFF vehicle based on the manufacturer's estimated duty cycle.
  • Conventional ARFF vehicles have large engines that are not designed to idle for long periods. The Striker Volterra electric ARFF can operate on its EV battery in standby mode, eliminating the engine maintenance issues caused by diesel engine idling. This also reduces noise levels and the vehicle's overall fuel consumption.
  • The Striker Volterra electric ARFF’s ability to run on full-electric when entering, leaving and idling in the fire station eliminates diesel exhaust and significantly reduces noise levels, creating a safer and quieter working environment.

With benefits including enhanced acceleration, significant reductions in carbon footprint, lower fuel consumption and a safer working environment for firefighters, the Striker Volterra electric ARFF sets a new standard in ARFF electric vehicle technology.

Check out how the Paris-Le Bourget Airport is paving the way towards a green future with its recent Striker Volterra electric ARFF fleet purchase.

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Why Choose The Striker Volterra Electric ARFF Vehicle?

The Oshkosh Striker Volterra electric ARFF redefines the capabilities of electric ARFF vehicles with its advanced EV battery technology. The Striker Volterra electric ARFF ensures unmatched performance, reliability and efficiency by seamlessly integrating electric power with a traditional combustion engine.

As airports continue to prioritize sustainability and operational efficiency, the Striker Volterra electric ARFF stands out as a forward-thinking solution that meets today's demands while preparing for tomorrow's challenges.

Download our Striker Volterra Electric ARFF Vehicle Guide below to learn more about its advanced EV battery capabilities.
View the ARFF Vehicle Reference Guide

About Oshkosh Airport Products

Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), is a designer and builder of industry-leading airport firefighting vehicles. Its flagship Striker® Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles are known for their durability and superior performance and sold throughout the world. For more information, visit www.oshkoshairport.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the Company's ability to successfully integrate the AeroTech acquisition and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; the risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;  the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate other acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

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