World's first fully-electric fire engine unveiled by Cumnock firm

East Ayrshire company Emergency One shows off its unique E1 Ev0 tender.

Emergency One's E1 Ev0 appliance

The appliance comes as the latest zero-emission commercial vehicle after electric lorries and snow ploughs.

Emergency One Group managing director Mike Madsen said: “The world’s first all-electric pumping appliance is our innovative contribution towards a low-carbon economy”.

Transport secretary Michael Matheson welcomed the new new vehicle.

He said: “Alongside our ambition to phase out new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032, we have set out ambitious targets for the Scottish public sector to decarbonise their vehicle fleets.

"It’s great to see Emergency One innovating to bring a cutting-edge zero emission fire appliance to the market, manufactured here in Scotland.

Scottish Enterprise interim chief executive Linda Hanna said: “Emergency One is a fantastic example of a Scottish manufacturer with export ambitions.

"We want to inspire more businesses to explore innovation, sustainability and exporting because we know this will help both their business recovery and Scotland’s green economic recovery.”

"Scottish Enterprise is proud to have worked with this company over many years and to have supported this project to create the world’s first net zero fire engine, built in Cumnock, that will not only save lives in the role it will serve but also contribute to Scotland’s wider low carbon targets.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said such developments would help reduce its carbon footprint.

Sustainability manager Kenneth Blake said: "We welcome advances in electric appliance technology, which seek to drive down our carbon emissions and better protect our staff.

“Firefighters provide a mobile response to the impacts of climate change, such as flooding and wild fires.

“And as a national service we are also looking at the best ways to adapt to a low carbon future for the benefit of our staff, communities and the environment.

“Over the next decade, we have pledged to reduce our carbon emissions by 6 per cent each year.”

Emergency One was founded in 1989 and describes itself as “the UK’s leading manufacturer of emergency service vehicles”.

The world’s first electric gritter was launched a year ago by Mr Matheson to clear snow from the Queensferry Crossing.

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