400-kW charger deployed at US airport to power world’s first fully electric fire truck

EV charging and energy storage provider XCharge North America has deployed a 400-kW ultra-fast charger at Dallas Love Field Airport to power the Rosenbauer Panther 6×6 Electric, the world’s first fully electric aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle. Designed for heavy-duty emergency operations, the C7 charging unit is intended to keep the vehicle ready for rapid deployment, bringing high-power electric charging to one of the most demanding applications for airport electrification. The charger uses liquid-cooled cables to support the long-duration, high-speed charging cycles required to keep the Panther ready for emergency response. Unlike passenger electric vehicles (EVs), aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles must be available to respond immediately when an emergency occurs, putting a greater demand on both the vehicle and its charging infrastructure. Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) operates the electric Panther as part of its emergency response fleet at the airport, which serves almost 18 million passengers annually. The department worked with Rosenbauer to pioneer the electric firefighting vehicle and turned to XCharge for charging infrastructure capable of meeting its operational requirements. Powering firefighting’s electric future The Rosenbauer Panther 6×6 Electric is built specifically for aircraft rescue and firefighting, a role that requires substantial power and rapid response. Its electrification eliminates the need for conventional liquid fuel propulsion while shifting a critical part of its operation to the electrical grid. That makes the charging system an important part of the vehicle’s overall capability. A high-power charger can reduce the time needed to replenish the vehicle between operations and help ensure it remains ready when firefighters need it. The C7AM’s liquid-cooled cables are designed to handle the heat generated during high-power charging. XCharge says the system was engineered for the long-duration charging cycles required by the Panther, rather than simply adapting passenger-EV charging equipment for a much larger emergency vehicle. Moving the firefighting vehicle to electric power could also reduce some of the hazards associated with liquid fuel on airport tarmacs. XCharge said electrification can limit the logistical and environmental risks linked to transporting, storing and handling fuel around aircraft and other ground operations. Emergency response meets electrification The Dallas deployment also highlights a broader challenge facing airports as they electrify ground equipment. Passenger cars and buses can often be scheduled around charging periods, but emergency vehicles cannot. Their charging infrastructure has to support high energy demand while preserving operational availability. For Dallas Fire-Rescue, the project grew from its existing relationship with Rosenbauer. When the manufacturer began looking for departments willing to help pioneer the Panther Electric, DFR joined the effort on the condition that the supporting infrastructure could meet its operational standards. “Dallas Fire-Rescue has always embraced innovation,” said Chief Justin Ball, adding that the XCharge system supports the department’s move toward next-generation airport firefighting technology while maintaining its ability to respond quickly.The project demonstrates that electrifying heavy-duty emergency vehicles requires more than replacing a combustion engine with an electric drivetrain. The supporting charging infrastructure must also deliver enough power, withstand demanding charging cycles, and keep mission-critical vehicles ready for action.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.