Reddingsbrigade Utrecht opts for plug-in hybrid powerhouse
Sjoerd and his passion for water
“I’ve been with the Reddingsbrigade Utrecht since I was nine years old. That is now 18 years, because I am 27 years old. Because my parents had a sailboat, I am familiar with the water from a young age. At the brigade I really feel like a fish in the water.”
That passion has led Sjoerd to become a lifeguard, skipper and driver of the new CX-80. He is part of the Equipment Committee, which is responsible for the maintenance and purchase of equipment. This included the search for a new car.
The ONLY one in the Netherlands! MAZDA CX-80 of Utrecht rescue team – AutoRAI TV
From rowboat to plug-in hybrid
The Reddingsbrigade Utrecht exists since January 21, 1918 and has been a fixture in the region for over a century. In recent years, sustainability has been high on the agenda. After purchasing three electric boats and making the boathouse more sustainable with LED lighting and infrared panels, it was the turn of the vehicle fleet.
“Previously, we had an Outlander PHEV and another old diesel,” Sjoerd says. “That diesel has now been replaced by the Mazda CX-80. Thanks in part to support from sponsors such as the K.F. Hein Fonds and the Initiatievenfonds of the municipality of Utrecht, we were able to take the step to this new model.”
Why exactly a Mazda CX-80?
When choosing a new car, the list of requirements was clear: plug-in hybrid or fully electric, all-wheel drive, high towing capacity, ample luggage space and suitability for difficult terrain. After extensive testing, Mazda emerged as the winner.
“The CX-80 meets all our requirements and is also beautifully adapted to our work,” says Sjoerd. For example, the car is equipped with blue/orange/green lights, sirens, working lights and even a megaphone to call swimmers. Practical options have also been added, such as rubber mats, a tow bar, leather upholstery and front and rear seat heating, useful after spending hours in the cold on the water.
All-electric through the city
The CX-80 Plug-in Hybrid can drive about 60 kilometers fully electric. For short trips in and around Utrecht, that’s ideal. Even with a trailer attached, the brigade can travel about 35 kilometers. Charging is simply done via an outlet at the boathouse.
“That suits our use perfectly: twice in the weekend, loading at night and always ready for deployment. Moreover, for disasters, such as the floods in Limburg in 2021, it is handy that we also have a gasoline engine behind us. Power is often not available in emergency areas.”
Minor drawbacks
No car is perfect. For example, the Smart Brake Support safety system can cause frustration when there is a boat trailer behind it. Also, the maximum of seven linked phones is a bit meager with 20 to 25 drivers. “But fair is fair: those are exceptional situations,” Sjoerd nuances.
Great enthusiasm within the team
The Reddingsbrigade Utrecht team is proud of their first all-new car. “Everyone thinks it’s special. We even get compliments from other brigades. Who knows, we may soon see more Mazda’s appearing in the rescue world. And for those people who get excited about our work, we are always looking for volunteers.”
