I’ll admit that a lot of the wacky vehicles and different assorted autos that I discover for the Awesomely Bizarre Alibaba Electrical Car of the Week column are largely only for enjoyable. They’re all about having the best, weirdest or craziest private automobile on the block. However this week I feel it’s time I buckled down and truly made a contribution to society as a substitute of simply having fun with my hedonistic electrical automobile methods. And that’s why I’m beginning up my very own hearth service with essentially the most lovely little electrical hearth truck that cash should buy.
The truth that you’ll be able to even purchase your personal non-public hearth truck already will get me giddy.
However then get a load of simply how superior this factor is!
The 4.5 meter (15 toes) truck has every part it’s good to shield your native neighborhood from the following yard barbeque gone awry.
There’s a light-weight bar (which appears to be jacked from a police automobile however we’ll simply ignore that element), a single big windshield wiper, roll up doorways for all of your firefighting tools and seating for 2 within the cab!
If two individuals isn’t sufficient manpower for the most important fires, you can carry a number of extra courageous firefighters within the cage on again.There’s a turret-mounted water cannon again there too, which might serve double-duty as enjoyable little highway rage weapon the following time somebody honks at you for no good motive.
Although if individuals are honking at you on this factor, it’s most likely since you’re driving round at 28 km/h (17 mph), which is the mini hearth truck’s high pace.
That’s actually not going to win you any associates on the highway. And it’s most likely not going to win you any extra contracts once you lastly arrive to the scene of a fireplace in time to moisten the final remaining smoldering ashes. However relating to firefighting, would you like it executed quick or would you like it executed low cost?
Oh, whoops. I believed you had been going to say “low cost.” Welp, sorry of us. Low-cost is the one choice I’ve for you. This electrical hearth truck could also be a bit pricier than a lot of the couple-thousand-dollar weirdomobiles that I often discover for you. However at US $8,500, it’s actually not that a lot money for what you get in return. I’m undecided how a lot actual hearth vans price, however I’m guessing it’s much more than this.
And that $8.5k really buys you some good options. The seats are apparently actual leather-based (and “sponge foam” stuffed, if that does it for you), and the hearth truck even has a built-in MP3 participant and USB port so you’ll be able to play your tunes. There’s a loudspeaker that I assume is for the siren, but when there’s a approach to join it to the MP3 participant and blast 80’s rock ballads whereas cruising down the highway, you recognize I’m going to do it.
The truck even appears properly designed with rack and pinion steering, McPherson impartial suspension and hydraulic shocks up entrance, although the rear will get a strong axle and leaf spring suspension.
However hey, if it was ok for a horse carriage then it’s ok for me!
The 6,000 watt motor linked on to the rear axle isn’t precisely going to win any tractor pull contests. And to be sincere, you must most likely solely take the hearth calls which might be situated downhill out of your present location – that motor isn’t more likely to pull a pair bathtubs price of water up a steep hill.
However consider all of the upsides to driving your personal hearth truck as a each day driver? You get free parking for all times (who’s going to ticket a fireplace truck?), you’re by no means caught in visitors (that gentle bar up high isn’t decorative, in spite of everything), and each every now and then you get to make the entrance web page for serving to put out a fireplace whereas in your means house from the fitness center. I can already see it: Native hero saves day, extinguishes birthday cake candles on overwhelmed octogenarian’s cake.
Face it, this factor is ideal!
Properly, I assume it’s virtually good. The one essential bummer is that the large 9.6 kWh battery financial institution is made up of lead acid battery packs.
What offers, my dudes? Load me up with some actual lithium-ion batteries. Not solely would that improve the paltry 80 km (50 mile) vary, however there’s actually no draw back. What’s the more serious that would occur? It catches on hearth? You’re already on the scene; it sounds straight out of an Alanis Morissette music!
As a lot as I wish to change into the proprietor of my very personal little electrical firetruck service, I do know there’s no means I’d be capable to swing this with my spouse. To be honest, she’s put up with a whole lot of my bizarre crap earlier than, however this might most likely be a burning bridge too far.
As a substitute, I’ll simply need to take pleasure in this factor from afar. Except any enterprising readers of mine wish to begin up their very own non-public firefighting service. In that case, give me a hoop. I’ll be the primary down the fireman’s pole to return test it out!
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