A car fire is never a good thing, and if the car is electric, the results could be even worse. If it all goes up in flames while the vehicle is in a multi-storey car park, then the consequences could be dire, with limited space available for fire services to control the situation.
Such incidents happen — more than 1,000 cars were destroyed in a fire in Liverpool, while a multi-storey collapsed in Stavanger — so a UK company has converted a Toyota Hilux pickup into a six-wheel EV fire-fighting machine to keep us all safe.
Statistically, electric vehicles are less likely to suffer a fire than their fossil fuel-driven counterparts, but if it does happen and the battery pack is compromised due to an accident or an external fire, then it can be challenging to control a blaze. Energy stored in the battery pack can cause a ‘thermal runaway’, which is a chain reaction within the battery. The ferocious heat of a fire causes the chemical reaction to continue, even when doused with water. One of the few ways of fighting such fires includes submerging the entire car in water for days.
York-based Prospeed Motorsport has recognised the issues that burning in confined spaces can cause and created a compact but capable firefighting machine called the Hiload. Described as a ‘rapid intervention vehicle’, it’s based on a Toyota Hilux pickup truck.
The pickup has been fitted with an entirely new chassis to avoid a compromised ‘cut and shut’ of the original frame, as well as a torque splitter system and an extra set of driven wheels to turn it into a 6x6. The Hiload has a gross vehicle weight of 5,600kg, which is enough to provide a 3,000kg payload — almost triple what the standard Toyota Hilux model can provide.
The Hiload is 1,230mm longer than a Hilux, thanks to the extra set of rear wheels, but, crucially for access to locations such as underground and multi-storey car parks, it remains relatively low slung, with a height of just 1,850mm — lower than many SUVs.
Not only does Hiload offer access to restricted areas, but the enhanced traction and reduced ground pressure created by a six-wheel drive setup can also prove invaluable when tackling fires in remote and challenging environments such as forests and heathland.
The Hiload has been equipped with the Coldcut Cobra system, designed specifically for extinguishing EV battery fires. The system uses an abrasive suspended in water which is then injected into the battery at a pressure of 300 bar. The water lowers temperatures inside the battery pack and reduces the risk of thermal runaway, a method which can suppress a fire in 10 minutes using just a single bathtub of water.
Alongside the firefighting Hiload, Prospeed is also working on a 5,000kg 4x4 model and a 6x6 Hiload with an increased 6,500kg GVW as part of a light utility vehicle fleet for defence customers, which will replace ageing Land Rover Defender and Pinzgauer fleets.
Enjoyed this? Read our latest news:
- Vauxhall electric vans power to top of the sales charts
- Coronation car flag could land you with £2,500 fine
- Miele becomes first customer to receive customised Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo van
-
Isuzu dominates Trade Van Driver awards: D-Max and AT35 models secure top honours
- Select sponsors new summer festival for petrolheads
Where To Next?
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car and van deals, sign up to our newsletter.
Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of van leasing deals..
Read our latest van reviews and find the right model for you.
Want to know more about van leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive van leasing guides.
Interested in everything motoring? Why not catch up on all the latest van leasing news.
