Fire involving electric vehicles is still quite rare compared to internal combustion engine-powered vehicles, but it is definitely more challenging to put out by fire and rescue departments. A UK-based company, Prospeed, has introduced its solution to combat EV fires with the Hiload 6×6. This is essentially a modified Toyota Hilux with six wheels and it comes equipped with all the necessary tools to contain an EV fire with less water.
The folks at Prospeed have extended the double cabin Hilux by 48.4 inches to fit three axles and two extra wheels, and it also gets a torque splitter system. After modification, the HiLoad 6×6 gets an increased gross vehicle weight (GVM) of 5,600kg with a payload of about 3 tonnes. To enable it to go anywhere, the 6×6 drivetrain is claimed to offer an enhanced level of off-road mobility for wildfires or incidents in remote locations.
With a height of 1,850mm, this fire fighting truck is still usable in the urban environment such as multi-storey car parks as it complies with the 190cm height limit. However, from the looks of it, the extended length of the pickup could be a challenge at older car parks with extremely tight corners.
The Prospeed Hiload 6×6 for fire fighting is equipped with a ColdCut Cobra System that can pierce through a car’s floor at 300 bar and penetrates directly into EV’s battery pack. It is claimed that the fire can be put out in under 10 minutes with just 240 litres of water, which is about the capacity of a standard bathtub. This makes it super efficient to tackle EV fires with less manpower needed and it uses far less water than the submersion method which is essentially making a mini pool around the burning EV.
With the increasing adoption of battery-powered vehicles, there’s a need for more adequate tools to prepare for any fire incidents. The Prospeed Hiload 6×6 could make a nice addition to our local highway patrol fleets and fire and rescue department.
