On 8 March, WAS was visited by a delegation from the Cologne Fire Brigade. Under the leadership of Stefan Ortmann, Head of the Fire Brigade's Technology and Buildings Department, the order for 84 conventionally powered ambulances and one electrically powered ambulance was handed over. For WAS, this Cologne order is one of the first major highlights of the year. Rarely in Germany are so many vehicles awarded in one contract by a city or district.
The background for the procurement with a contract volume of 22.5 million euros: The city of Cologne has set a lifetime cycle of 6 years for its ambulances and accordingly issued a Europe-wide tender for a 4-year framework agreement with fixed, regular call-up dates, so that the fleet is well-mixed in terms of age and has an average age of 3 years. All ambulances are from the same manufacturer (Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles) and are built and equipped identically.
The e-ambulance, which was also ordered, is one of the first series-produced electrically powered ambulances with a gross vehicle weight of 5.5 t and will be used in Cologne in a special electric rescue station.
