CC_Minutes_2023_0717 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 17,2023 Page 3 the Department can, in partnership with the both the manufacturer and the State MPCA, solicit both grants will be pursued as well. Councilmember Strahan was curious about what kind of consideration there was in repair of EV engines, as far as mechanics since now, with the traditional diesel engine, the City probably has people internal who are able to do that. She could see where there would be additional maintenance expense in that regard. Chief Brosnahan explained that differently than their conventional engine, there is a five-year warranty with the company the Department is leaning toward, the Rosenbauer product, which is consistent with what the Department has and is a Minnesota based company. The majority of repairs would have to be sought outside of the Department. Councilmember Groff wondered how the EV will function in cold weather, twenty below degree days. He indicated a resident was also concerned. Chief Brosnahan indicated the battery powered fire engines have been tested, mainly in Europe and northern Europe,a similar climate,for the past ten years. The feedback he has received from the vendor is only in situations where, for example, the fire engine is turned off for seventy-two hours would it have a problem where the battery would not operate. He noted the engine is either outside being used or in the Fire Department garage so the battery will warm or cool itself depending on the conditions it is around. Chief Brosnahan and Assistant Fire Chief Sjostrom reviewed the maintenance costs for EV versus gas engine vehicles. Councilmember Schroeder asked if the Fire Department has had any input from St. Paul, which has an EV, about these types of vehicles. Chief Brosnahan explained St. Paul has ordered the vehicle but does not have one yet. Councilmember Strahan wondered what the resale value would be at the end of an EV life and if there will be adequate time to charge the vehicle in between calls. Assistant Fire Chief Sjostrom explained it is really hard to determine a resale value because of the specialized market and how every engine in designed for a specific department. Chief Brosnahan explained he did not have any concerns about being able to keep the vehicle charged in between calls and there is a backup generator that can help power the battery if it were to get down to a certain level, but he did not believe that would be an issue.