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London Fire Brigade (LFB) has strengthened its commitment to sustainability with the introduction of its first fully electric large goods vehicles (LGVs) and an all-electric driver training fleet — a UK first for a fire and rescue service.
The rollout includes two Renault Trucks E-Tech D electric lorries at the Brigade’s Operational Support Centre (OSC) and eight Volvo XC40 electric cars deployed across its training centres in Ruislip, Beckton, and Croydon. The initiative supports the Mayor of London’s target for a zero-carbon city by 2030 and forms a key part of the LFB’s wider Carbon Net Zero strategy.
Following two years of successful trials at the OSC, the brigade’s Fleet Liaison Equipment and Engineering Team (FLEET) has replaced two long-serving diesel vehicles with 16-tonne electric Renault Trucks lorries. These new vehicles will continue to deliver essential firefighting equipment across the capital and can also be deployed to incidents when needed.
The new LGVs feature advanced technology that provides real-time data on energy use and performance. This will allow LFB to monitor operational efficiency and evaluate how electric vehicles perform in demanding service environments, helping to shape future fleet investment decisions.
The eight Volvo XC40s, meanwhile, replace the hybrid and petrol cars previously used for driver training. The electric models will enable instructors to teach and assess the blue-light driving skills of senior officers while eliminating emissions from the training process — making LFB the first UK fire service to operate a fully electric training fleet.
The shift to electric vehicles is part of a wider programme of sustainability initiatives within the brigade. LFB is also trialling its Zero Emission Pumping Appliance (ZEPA1) at Hammersmith Fire Station and now generates more than ten per cent of its own energy from renewable sources. Since 1990, the Brigade has reduced its CO₂ emissions by 59%.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mark Davidson said the expansion of the electric fleet represents a significant step forward for the service’s environmental goals.
“London Fire Brigade is proud to lead the way in decarbonising the fire and rescue sector,” he said. “By investing in electric training cars and LGVs, we are not only meeting our own sustainability commitments but also setting an example for others to follow. These innovations are vital in reducing our carbon footprint, improving air quality, and helping London reach its net zero goals.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mark Davidson.
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