California considers electric fire trucks

Crews check out world's first all-electric engine

MENLO PARK, Calif. (KYMA, KSWT, KECY/NBC News) - In the future, California firefighters may battle blazes with all-electric engines.

On Thursday, the world's first all-electric fire truck made a stop at a fire station in Menlo Park.

This vehicle is one of a kind. It looks, and functions, differently than any other fire truck currently on the streets. It also smells different, and Chief Harold Schapelhouman says that's a good thing.

"Diesel is a carcinogen so these days we're always worried about anything that causes cancer for the health and safety of our employees, the health of the community because you have to leave some of this apparatus running at calls." said Schapelhouman.

Fans of the fire truck say it's a money saver in spite of its' million dollar price tag. The electric engine won't need traditional refueling. Plus, it has fewer parts that the traditional fire truck, and needs less maintenance.

In the end, fire officials believe it's worth the investment.

"It's got power now, as much as you want, now. So it makes a lot of sense. It's totally crucial, every second counts." said Menlo Park Fire Mechanic Rudy Torres.

The first electric fire engines should start hitting the streets in late 2021.