- The first fully electric Panther 6x6 electric will be deployed at Dallas Love Field Airport in 2025
- The new model can be ordered as of now, with the first pre-series vehicles expected to be delivered by the end of 2025
DALLAS - Rosenbauer America and the Dallas Fire Rescue Department have entered into an innovative partnership aimed at the joint further development of the PANTHER 6x6 electric through to series production. The pre-series vehicle will be delivered in mid-2025 and will operate at Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), making it the first airport to receive a PANTHER 6x6 electric.
The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department plays an important role as a cooperation partner. During the approximately 6-month test phase, the pre-series vehicle will be tested for operational suitability. This is tested through, for example, integration into everyday operations, performance in comparison to the current vehicle fleet, and functionality in training operations. The knowledge gained is passed on to the product team and flows directly into further development. After the completion of the testing phase, the PANTHER 6x6 electric will be integrated into the fleet as a regular operational vehicle.
“The Dallas Fire Rescue Department is proud and excited for the opportunity to partner with Rosenbauer in the creation and development of a new and sustainable technology that will help lower our carbon footprint while ensuring the safety of our residents and millions of travelers who fly through Dallas Love Field every year,” said Interim Fire Chief Justin Ball.
Sebastian Wolf, CEO of Rosenbauer International, says, “Our commitment to sustainability is not just about reducing emissions; it's about pioneering innovative solutions that enhance safety and efficiency. The PANTHER 6x6 electric embodies this vision, and we are honored to partner with Dallas Fire Rescue to advance standards in firefighting technology.”
The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department (DFR) is responsible for fire protection and emergency medical care for the City of Dallas and therefore, also oversees the fleet of firefighting vehicles at Dallas Love Field Airport, where the PANTHER 6x6 electric will be used at DAL ARFF Station 21. The City of Dallas' Aviation department pays particular attention to sustainability and plans to be emission-free by 2040. In order to achieve this goal, the existing fire station is being redesigned and rebuilt as part of the "DAL ARFF Station 21 Replacement" project. The new fire station at DAL will not only be modern and optimally positioned to minimize response times but will also be geared towards energy efficiency and sustainability. This also includes gradually replacing the fleet vehicles with vehicles with alternative drive systems.
"We are excited to collaborate with the Dallas Fire Rescue Department and Dallas Love Field as partners to advance the PANTHER 6x6 electric. Findings from real operating conditions at Dallas Love Field will be incorporated into the optimization of the vehicle. This paves the way for airports to further reduce their carbon footprint in the future by using low-emission vehicles," said Andreas Zeller, Chief Sales Officer of Rosenbauer International.
In May 2024, Dallas Love Field expanded to its carbon neutrality status and achieved Level 4 – Transformation in the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program. This made DAL, the busiest medium hub airport in the U.S., one of only five airports in the country, and one of two airports in Texas certified at Level 4 or higher in the Program. The self-funded city entity recently served over 17.6 million passengers in 2023, the most in its history, and is the sole funding source for this innovative development. On average, the airport’s airfield accommodates 675 aircraft operations per day and ranks third busiest in private aircraft traffic. Such high activity demonstrates the need for top-of-the-line safety infrastructure and rapid response times in an emergency.
“Sustainability and safety are top priorities for DAL’s operations. The presence and response preparedness of our partner, Dallas Fire-Rescue, is invaluable in the life of our airport. With the addition of the PANTHER 6x6 electric, we hope to further equip them with a unique resource that will aid in life preservation and contribute to our commitment to improve DAL’s energy efficiency and reduce emissions of potentially hazardous substances into the environment,” said Patrick Carreno, Director of Dallas Love Field.
In addition to the pre-series PANTHER 6x6 electric for Dallas, three prototypes have been produced and tested at the Leonding site (Austria). Since early October 2024, emergency organizations have been able to order the new PANTHER 6x6 electric. The first pre-series vehicles could be delivered as early as the end of 2025.
PANTHER 6x6 electric
With the PANTHER 6x6 electric, another Rosenbauer fire truck is available to accompany fire departments into a new era. The aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle combines the safety and functionality of the current generation with the advantages of electric mobility, such as a reduction in noise and emissions. In addition to meeting global standards and airport requirements such as ICAO, NFPA 414/1900, or FAA, the PANTHER 6x6 electric is designed to help the airport sector effectively reduce its carbon footprint.
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