This Toyota Hilux 6x6 Fire Truck Is Specially Built To Combat EV Fires

Toyota Hilux-based 'Hiload 6x6' built by Prospeed UK.

Unlike combustion-powered vehicles, Electric Vehicles (EVs) represent a huge challenge for firefighters and rescuers should they catch fire. Though EVs in general pose less of a fire risk than their ICE-equipped cousins, EV fires are harder to extinguish when they happen.

In fact, Firefighters worldwide have struggled with such fires for several years now, but it seems a UK-based custom car-building firm called Prospeed might have just the solution. What said firm came up with is the specially built Toyota Hilux 6x6 pictured, which Prospeed has aptly christened as the Hiload 6x6.

An "entirely new chassis" accommodates a 6x6 driveline whilst also increasing payload capacity and space.

Using one of the world’s most reliable and trusted pick-up trucks ever built has perhaps provided a good starting base for the Hiload 6x6 build. According to Prospeed, the build sees the Hilux adopt an “entirely new chassis” plus a “torque splitter” to accommodate its six-wheeled driveline.

The beefed up chassis was necessary to accommodate the Hiload 6x6’s special firefighting load out, and the effort saw Prospeed successfully tripling the standard Hilux’s payload to 3,000 KG. Fully loaded, the Hiload 6x6 weighs in at 5,600 KG, and it also sport a cargo bed that’s been extended by 1,230 MM.

Hiload 6x6's 1,850 MM height sees it able to fit into most basement and multi-storey parkings.

Notably, at 1,850 MM tall, Prospeed also ensured the Hiload 6x6’s height was low enough to fit in most of the underground and multi-storey car parks. At the same time, it also benefits from a generous ground clearance, whilst its 6x6 driveline plus off-road tyres also sees it fit to combat forest fires too.

Besides the increased payload, extended cargo and the extra set of wheels, other notable modifications include the adoption of a rather beefy off-road bumper, the addition of roof racks, as well as the customary emergency lighting and siren, the former harnessing LEDs.

One key addition is the Coldcut Cobra firefighting system designed especially for EV fires.

Of course, the most critical modification here is the innovative Coldcut Cobra fire extinguishing system. It uses an abrasive that pierces a hole through the floor of the vehicle, thus allowing water to be injected inside the battery casing at very high pressure (300 Bar), eventually cooling down the modules and preventing propagation.

Independent tests sees the Coldcut Cobra capable at “preventing cell propagation within 10 minutes, using just 240 litres of water,” which is only 20% of the Hiload’s on board water tank’s total capacity. In fact, that’s much less than the water needed to fully immerse an EV in the event its catches fire.

Prospeed says it's able to export the 6x6 conversion module overseas, and is willing to explore licensing the design for mass production.

The vehicle pictured here was built by Prospeed for firefighters in the Czech Republic who are presently trialling the vehicle. Beyond that, Prospeed even claims that it is already already part of an EV manufacturer’s firefighting fleet, thought he firm didn’t point out which specific brand this is.

Though the cost of this build wasn’t disclosed, the York-based firm  also adds that it can ship the 6×6 conversion module to export markets, and that it’s willing to license the design for higher-volume production. Lastly, similar 4×4 and 6×6 conversions designed as utility vehicles for the military application is also being offered by the firm.