PRESS RELEASE
LEONDING, Austria — Interested emergency organizations can now order the new PANTHER 6x6 electric. The fully electric twin of the legendary PANTHER unleashes its full power in pure electric mode and achieves faster acceleration and top speed than a conventionally powered aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle. The significant reduction in CO2 emissions during daily operations—from deployment to training and standby—also supports the aviation industry and airport operators in achieving their climate protection goals. The PANTHER 6x6 electric was first presented as a concept vehicle at the INTERSCHUTZ industry trade show in 2022, and the first pre-series vehicles are on pace to be delivered by the end of 2025.
“With the PANTHER 6x6 electric, we want to once again set the standard in a product category by combining a powerful, fully electric drive with the highest safety standards in its class. This innovation not only contributes to the net-zero goals of many airports but also meets the high expectations of our customers in terms of performance,” says Andreas Zeller, Chief Sales Officer of Rosenbauer International.
During the conception of the PANTHER 6x6 electric, Rosenbauer involved airport operators and fire departments from the very beginning. The aim was to handle daily operations entirely on electric power and to meet the required acceleration (0 to 50 mph in under 25 seconds) and top speed (75 mph) purely on electric drive. The water pump can also be operated electrically at full capacity (2,378 gal/min). Thus, the experience of users was directly incorporated into the vehicle’s development. The PANTHER 6x6 electric combines the current PANTHER generation with the advantages of electromobility, such as the minimizing noise and pollutant emissions.
The electric drive platform developed by Rosenbauer for the PANTHER 6x6 electric, with its associated high-voltage batteries, provides sufficient energy for the two- to three-minute drive to the operation site, the discharge of the entire extinguishing agent, and the return trip in accordance with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Initial tests with prototypes show that multiple trips can be completed on a single battery charge, and under certain conditions, the vehicle can accelerate to 80 km/h in under 20 seconds.
The PANTHER electric can be charged with both direct and alternating current and has a maximum charging capacity of 400 HP. This means the vehicle is ready for the next electric operation in very short time. An ‘Energy Backup System’ is installed in the vehicle to ensure continuous use and the vehicle’s unrestricted operational capability.
“Rosenbauer is firmly convinced that the PANTHER 6x6 electric can handle over 90% of its daily tasks purely electric. It was developed as a high-performance ARFF truck that not only provides emergency crews with a more environmentally friendly, but also a more efficient working environment.”
The four electric drive motors in the PANTHER 6x6 electric provide outstanding driving performance to reach the operation site quickly. The high-performance pump in the vehicle can be operated either electrically or in combination with the Energy Backup System. The firefighting system performance (pump, foam proportioning, turret) is the same as that of the conventionally powered PANTHER.
The PANTHER 6x6 electric also features a sharper design. A new lighting concept, from the airfield searchlights to the LED scene lights, makes the vehicle more visible and safer. Naturally, the PANTHER 6x6 electric also meets all globally required standards such as ECE norms and airport requirements like ICAO, NFPA 414/1900, or FAA.
“Through the development of our RT / RTX [electric pumper], we have acquired a great deal of expertise in the field of e-mobility, which we have been able to use in the development of the PANTHER 6x6 electric over the last two years. Especially in the firefighting sector, e-mobility offers many advantages. With the PANTHER 6x6 electric, airport fire departments around the world can now take advantage of these benefits,” says Sebastian Wolf, CEO of Rosenbauer International.
Learn more about the features and technical details of the PANTHER 6x6 electric.