Driving change: How Cary, North Carolina, is leading fleet electrification with its first electric fire truck

By Kae Tuitt and Danna Widmar

When Cary, North Carolina, committed to electrifying their fleet, the goal wasn’t to make headlines — it was to make a practical, people-first investment in cleaner air, operational resilience and long-term cost efficiency. That vision came to life with the deployment of Cary’s — and the East Coast’s first electric fire truck.

Cary’s deployment of the Pierce Volterra electric fire truck marks a milestone that signals an opportunity for fleets to expand into more demanding applications with a strategic approach. After starting with light-duty EVs a decade ago, Cary’s first heavy-duty EV deployment demonstrates how steady progress can position municipalities of all sizes to scale their zero-emission fleet. This shift from planning to implementation shows that even light-duty deployments can lead to larger projects that benefit the staff and communities they serve. EDF worked with the Cary fleet to share how the project came together and what they learned along the way to offer practical insights for other fleets considering similar steps.

What Cary’s experience shows other municipalities

Cary’s journey underscores several lessons echoed throughout EDF’s electric fleet case studies:

• Focused deployment, big difference – Start where impact and feasibility align for your fleet to transition to zero-emission and the benefits will emerge.
• Partnerships fuel progress – Strong support systems will not only make the process easier, but these relationships build the foundation for future additions.
• Leading by example – Planning, procurement and policy advocacy is a recipe for success that other municipalities can incorporate when deploying EVs.

There are still obstacles on the road to fleet electrification, but it’s important for fleets to find an avenue to get started. Deploying one electric vehicle may not seem significant, but a targeted deployment builds knowledge, confidence and momentum. It also provides a framework for other municipal fleets to learn and work from.

Focused deployment, big difference

Transportation remains the largest global contributor of air pollution, and trucks make up a disproportionate amount of those emissions, contributing to deadly health conditions like asthma and heart disease. For Cary, putting an electric fire truck into service aligns with the town’s goals of protecting public health and air quality while also supporting their frontline staff with reliable equipment.
 
EDF interviewed Cary firefighters for the case study, who shared first-hand experience on how the electric fire apparatus improves their health and working conditions. From no added tailpipe emissions in an already threatening work environment to added comfort and coordination in a quieter, more temperate vehicle, Cary is able to take care of the people who take care of the community. Deploying electric public safety vehicles is a great entryway into zero-emission transportation for municipalities, and the benefits speak for themselves.

Partnerships fuel progress

Electric truck deployments are complex efforts, and communication across multiple organizations and departments is essential to success. Cary’s progress was made possible through collaboration between the town’s leadership, fire department, utility, OEMs and stakeholders.
 
Their investment in forming and maintaining relationships unearthed hidden benefits for Cary and ensured a smooth integration of the new technology. EDF’s case study shows how other fleets can start these conversations early to replicate Cary’s thoughtful planning and incorporate coordination into their initial research and transition plans.

Leading by example: A model for what’s next

EDF’s electric fleet case study highlights how Cary created a learning opportunity that will inform broader fleet decisions in the years ahead, not just for their town but for other municipal fleets as well. Municipalities are uniquely positioned to directly impact the communities they serve through electric truck deployment and the many environmental, operational and financial benefits they provide.

Cary took the lead to help future fleets navigate the deployment of an electric public safety vehicle by starting with one truck and having lots of discussions with stakeholders. Your municipality can also take steps to get started and expand electrification in your fleet by building on lessons from Cary’s successful deployment.

To hear about the experience directly from Cary, watch EDF’s video case study , which includes interviews from the town leaders and fire personnel as well as footage of the electric fire truck out in the field.