It’s probably the smallest – and perhaps the most unlikely – fire fighting machine in the world, but its size will help the tiny Renault Twizy to save lives.
Resplendent in red and white, and with a blue light perched on its roof, the all-electric Twizy has joined the Paris fire brigade for front line duty. Thanks to its ability to squeeze through gaps and go places where a conventional fire truck cannot go it offers early intervention at an incident, providing life saving support before the big guns arrive.
Co-developed by Renault, Renault Tech – our vehicle conversion subsidiary – and the Paris Fire Brigade, the rear seat has been removed and the space used to house emergency response equipment.
There are two fire extinguishers in the back, two oxygen tanks, a fire suit and helmet and a first aid kit. And while it has no hose, nor can it carry a full team of burly fire fighters, the very fact that it can get places quickly means lives will be saved.
Officially it’s at the prototype stage and will spend the next eight months on trial in and around Paris. As well as its role as an incident support vehicle, the Twizy will also be used when setting up temporary safety installations for events such as New Year’s Eve.
“This prototype is proof of the research and development work we carry out with the emergency services, and demonstrates our ability and determination to innovate to meet the needs of fire fighters,” says Claire Petit Boulanger, safety officer at Renault. As well as developing the Twizy, we work closely with the FNSPF, the French national fire fighter association, and also donate cars for vehicle extrication training.
The Paris brigade is now actively looking at the possibility of establishing a fleet of light electric vehicles as much for their environmental benefits as for their speed and efficiency. After all, with zero tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles like Twizy are already doing their bit to save lives by making the city air cleaner.