Scania will return to AFAC in August 2026, Australasia’s largest emergency management and first responder conference and exhibition, showcasing its latest solutions for firefighting and emergency services.

The Scania stand will feature a firefighting CrewCab alongside the first firefighting chassis powered by the new Scania Super 11 engine. Scania’s Special Vehicles Team will also be available to discuss the recently unveiled Battery Electric CrewCab and its potential introduction to Australia.

“We are very excited to display the first of the all-new Super 11 five-cylinder powertrains in a chassis destined for firefighting,” says Benjamin Nye, Director of Truck Sales for Scania Australia.

New Super 11 for firefighting

The new Super 11 engine range has been designed to deliver the performance, efficiency and durability required by firefighting and emergency services.

Available with 350 hp, 390 hp and 430 hp outputs, the Super 11 provides strong performance for emergency response while using around 7% less fuel than Scania’s previous five-cylinder powertrain.

“The Super 11 will be ideally suited to firefighting and emergency service vehicles of all types,” Ben says. “It delivers the performance needed for emergency calls while providing significant opportunities to reduce fuel consumption.”

On display at AFAC will be a Scania 430 P 8x4 Super 11 chassis fitted with a CP17 Low Roof Day Cab. The configuration is ideally suited to an aerial firefighting appliance.

Scania will also display a completed P 360 4x2 CP28 CrewCab firefighting appliance destined for Tasmania. It is powered by Scania’s 9-litre five-cylinder engine paired with an Allison six-speed automatic transmission.

Designed for demanding operations

Firefighting vehicles often spend long periods stationary while operating equipment through Power Take-Offs (PTOs). The Super 11 has been developed with these demanding operating conditions in mind.

The new engine family also offers longer service intervals and a longer overall working life. Scania’s Fleet Monitoring Systems can help ensure vehicles are serviced when required based on their actual operating conditions, rather than relying only on kilometres travelled or engine hours.

“Firefighting vehicles have very different operating patterns from regular trucks,” Ben says. “The combination of the Super 11 and Scania’s Fleet Monitoring Systems allows us to better match servicing to how the vehicle is actually being used.”

Lower-emission fuel options

The Super 11 engine range can operate on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 85%.

The 390 hp and 430 hp versions can also operate on up to B100 renewable diesel, providing similar potential CO2 reductions.

These options give fire and emergency services a practical pathway to reduce emissions while continuing to use familiar combustion-engine technology.

Safety at the forefront

Scania has a long history of supplying reliable and durable firefighting vehicles in Australia, with safety remaining a key focus.

Scania firefighting vehicles feature crash-tested all-steel cabs and a comprehensive range of active and passive safety systems. These include driver and passenger side curtain airbags at every door, a driver SRS steering-wheel airbag and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.

Depending on specification, these systems include vulnerable road user and pedestrian collision warnings, Advanced Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning and Lane Departure Warning.

“These features make Scania a strong choice for fire and emergency rescue services where crew and road-user safety are critical,” Ben says.

Battery Electric CrewCab on the horizon

Scania will also discuss the future potential of its new Battery Electric CrewCab, recently launched in Europe.

The electric CrewCab provides fire and emergency services with the opportunity to operate with zero tailpipe emissions. It also offers significantly quieter operation, including when using PTO-driven equipment on site.

“The introduction of the Battery Electric CrewCab in Europe opens an exciting opportunity for Australian fire and emergency services,” Ben says.

“Along with zero tailpipe emissions, quieter operation can provide an important benefit when vehicles are working in built-up and residential areas.”

With renewable diesel and battery electric solutions available, Scania is continuing to expand the options for fire and emergency services looking to reduce their environmental impact.

“We’re ready to work with Australian fire and emergency services to plan for a safer and more sustainable emergency vehicle future,” Ben says.