Rescue vehicles: Core multi-functional engineering rescue equipment at disaster sites

I. Core Definition of a Rescue Vehicle A rescue vehicle is a specialized emergency equipment integrating multiple functions such as "engineering rescue operations + emergency support + safety protection." Its core components include four main modules: an off-road/specialized chassis, a rescue operation system (towing, lifting, demolition, and obstacle clearing), an emergency support system (power supply, water supply, communication, and lighting), and a safety protection system. With a rated load capacity ranging from 3 to 30 tons, it is suitable for diverse rescue scenarios such as road collapses, geological disasters, power outages, and urban flooding. Its core value lies in "rapid response + multi-functional integration + extreme environment adaptation," enabling it to arrive at the scene immediately after a disaster and simultaneously complete complex operations such as obstacle clearing, demolition, repair, and support. It is a key piece of equipment connecting disaster relief, facility repair, and public welfare, providing a "one-stop engineering solution" for disaster relief. II. Development History The industrialization of emergency rescue vehicles began in the 1950s. In response to post-war reconstruction and natural disaster emergency needs, European and American countries introduced the first generation of simple emergency rescue vehicles, integrating traction and lifting functions for road clearing and basic repairs. In the 1980s and 1990s, upgrades in hydraulic and communication technologies spurred industry innovation, transforming emergency rescue vehicles from "single-function" to "multi-functional integrated" vehicles, incorporating systems for demolition, power generation, and lighting. German and American companies developed off-road chassis suitable for complex terrain operations. China achieved a breakthrough in domestic production in the late 1990s (e.g., XCMG and Zoomlion's first 5-ton emergency rescue vehicle). In the early 21st century, with the improvement of emergency management systems and the growth in disaster emergency needs, the industry entered a period of rapid development. Companies such as Chengli Automobile and Aerospace Morninglight gradually achieved large-scale production, with products covering sub-sectors such as roads, power, and fire fighting. In recent years, driven by the "National Emergency Response Strategy + Intelligent Technology", enterprises have made breakthroughs in core technologies such as unmanned operation, 5G remote dispatch, and new energy power. China has become the world's largest producer and user, with products exported to more than 30 countries in Southeast Asia, Africa and other regions. III. Core Characteristics Analysis

(I) Core Functional Characteristics

The core advantages of the emergency vehicle are reflected in "multi-functional integration + extreme environment adaptation": In terms of rapid response, it adopts an off-road chassis or a modified special chassis, with a maximum speed of 90km/h and strong off-road passability (minimum ground clearance ≥300mm, maximum gradeability ≥35°), enabling it to quickly reach the scene in complex road conditions such as mud, gravel, and water crossing; In terms of multi-functional operation, it integrates engineering functions such as towing (traction force 5~50 tons), lifting (lifting capacity 3~50 tons), demolition (breaking force 10~50 tons), and obstacle clearing, while being equipped with a 20~100kW emergency generator, a 5~20m³/h water pump, and satellite communication equipment to meet the full guarantee of power, water supply, and communication at the emergency site; In terms of safety protection, the body is made of bulletproof/impactproof composite material, equipped with a roll cage, fire extinguishing device, and toxic gas detector, and the cab has impact and radiation protection functions to ensure the safety of operators. (II) Structural and Performance Characteristics The vehicle adopts a modular design of "off-road chassis/dedicated chassis + multi-functional work equipment + emergency support system". The chassis is mostly selected from heavy-duty off-road truck chassis (such as Dongfeng Mengshi, Sinotruk Howo off-road version) or special modified chassis, with a load capacity of 3~30 tons. Some models are equipped with four-wheel drive/six-wheel drive systems to cope with complex terrain. The core components of the work system (crane, demolition hammer, towing device) are made of Q690 grade high-strength alloy steel, which is forged and heat treated as a whole, with high strength and strong fatigue resistance. The emergency support system integrates a silent generator, a large-capacity water tank, and 4G/5G + satellite dual-mode communication equipment, which can achieve 72 hours of continuous operation and self-sufficiency. The safety protection system is complete, equipped with tire pressure monitoring, vehicle stability system, emergency escape channel, and operation safety factor ≥1.8. (III) Scenario Adaptability Characteristics The vehicle can be adapted to diverse emergency rescue scenarios through differentiated functional configurations: Road rescue vehicles (5-12 tons) integrate obstacle clearing, towing, and road repair functions, adapting to road collapses and traffic accident clearing; Power rescue vehicles (8-15 tons) are equipped with aerial work platforms, cable traction devices, and emergency power generation equipment for power line fault repair; Geological disaster rescue vehicles (15-30 tons) are equipped with large cranes, demolition robots, and life detectors, adapting to earthquake, mudslide, and landslide on-site rescue; Urban flooding rescue vehicles (5-10 tons) are equipped with high-power drainage pumps (drainage flow rate 500-2000 m³/h) and diving equipment for urban water drainage; Chemical rescue vehicles (8-20 tons) are equipped with chemical protective suits, toxic gas handling devices, and explosion-proof tools, adapting to chemical leak accident handling. IV. Mainstream Production Processes

(I) Core Production Process (Mainstream Processes)
The production of emergency rescue vehicles is based on "modular integration + extreme environment testing". Key processes include:
1) Chassis selection and modification: Selecting off-road or special chassis according to the emergency rescue scenario, reinforcing the frame, optimizing the four-wheel drive system, and welding the mounting base for the working device;
2) Manufacturing of the working system: Core components such as lifting devices and demolition tools are CNC cut, robotic welded (weld pass rate ≥99.8%), and heat-treated for strengthening. After assembly, load testing (125% rated load) is conducted;
3) Integration of emergency support systems: Installing emergency generators, water tanks, communication equipment, and lighting systems, and conducting tests on power supply stability, communication signal strength, and water supply continuity;
4) Assembly and debugging of the whole machine: Conducting off-road performance testing (driving ≥500km on complex terrain), extreme environment testing (high and low temperature testing from -30℃ to 60℃, rainstorm simulation testing), and operational cycle testing (≥1000 times), and finally passing the special equipment certification of the Ministry of Emergency Management of China before leaving the factory. This process has high technical requirements, and the production cycle for conventional models is approximately 45-90 days. (II) Directions for Process Technology Upgrades With the increasing sophistication of emergency rescue and the upgrading of "dual carbon" requirements, the industry is accelerating process innovation: First, lightweight manufacturing, using high-strength aluminum alloy and carbon fiber composite materials for production equipment and body parts, reducing the overall vehicle weight by 12%-18% and improving off-road mobility; Second, intelligent upgrades, integrating AI life detection, drone reconnaissance, 5G remote control, and digital twin on-site simulation systems, with some high-end models achieving semi-autonomous rescue operations (automatic obstacle avoidance, precise positioning); Third, new energy transformation, developing pure electric (range 150-300km) and hybrid (oil-electric/hydrogen fuel) chassis models, with pure electric models equipped with fast charging technology (fully charged in 1.5-3 hours), suitable for zero-emission rescue in urban areas; Fourth, multi-functional integration upgrades, developing integrated "rescue + relief" models, integrating medical emergency cabins and casualty transport devices, achieving full-chain coverage of "rescue - saving lives - protection". (III) Core Component Manufacturing Processes Key component technologies have become core competitiveness: 1) Rescue Operation Equipment: The crane boom adopts an integrated molding process, and the demolition hammer is forged from high-strength alloy steel, with a striking frequency ≥1000 times/minute and stable crushing force; 2) Emergency Support System: The silent generator adopts a noise reduction and sound insulation design, with noise ≤75dB, and satellite communication equipment supports seamless global coverage; 3) Electronic Control System: A dedicated emergency controller (ECU) has been developed, integrating multi-system collaborative control functions, with a response time ≤0.1 seconds, supporting manual/automatic/remote three-mode operation. V. Core Application Areas (I) Natural Disaster Rescue (Traditional Core Area) More than 60% of rescue vehicles worldwide are used for natural disaster emergency rescue, making them core equipment for disaster relief. In earthquake disaster scenarios, large rescue vehicles equipped with demolition robots and cranes quickly clear collapsed building debris and open rescue channels; in mudslide and landslide scenarios, they clear road blockages and evacuate trapped people through obstacle clearing and towing functions; in flood disaster scenarios, drainage rescue vehicles pump out accumulated water to ensure the restoration of urban traffic and residents' lives; in typhoon and rainstorm disaster scenarios, power emergency repair vehicles quickly repair damaged power lines, and communication emergency repair vehicles restore communication signals in disaster areas. (II) Urban Emergency Response and Facility Repair (Important Application Scenarios) In urban emergency response scenarios, rescue vehicles are used to handle emergencies such as gas leaks, burst water pipes, and road collapses, quickly shutting off valves, repairing pipelines, and clearing the scene to minimize the impact on people's lives. In power facility repair scenarios, aerial work platform rescue vehicles are adapted to repair faults in transmission lines and substations to ensure power supply. In transportation facility repair scenarios, road rescue vehicles repair damaged road surfaces and clear traffic accident scenes to quickly restore traffic flow. In municipal facility repair scenarios, they are adapted to faults in heating, water supply, and communication pipelines, achieving integrated "rapid location-repair-restoration" operations. (III) Special Purpose and Overseas Emergency Response (Growth Driver) In chemical and hazardous materials emergency scenarios, chemical-resistant emergency response vehicles handle chemical leaks and hazardous materials explosions, reducing pollution risks through explosion-proof tools and toxic gas treatment devices. In mining emergency scenarios, mining emergency response vehicles are equipped with underground rescue equipment and ventilation systems for mine collapse and flooding rescue operations. In overseas emergency scenarios, Chinese emergency response vehicles, with their high cost-effectiveness and adaptability, participate in disaster relief in Southeast Asia, Africa, and other regions, with exports continuing to grow. In military emergency scenarios, military emergency response vehicles are adapted for battlefield road repair, facility restoration, and casualty evacuation, possessing high reliability and adaptability to extreme environments. VI. Market Development Trends (I) Rapid Demand Growth and Significant Upgrades in High-End and Intelligent Technologies In 2024, China's emergency response vehicle production capacity was approximately 50,000 units, accounting for 70% of the global market, with a market size exceeding 35 billion yuan. The average annual compound growth rate is projected to remain between 9.5% and 11.0% over the next five years. Among them, the demand for intelligent, new energy, and multi-functional integrated vehicles is growing the fastest, with its share increasing from 30% in 2024 to over 55% in 2029. Currently, the import dependence of core components for high-end vehicles (such as high-precision hydraulic systems and satellite communication equipment) is about 22%, mainly relying on imports from Germany and the United States. The improvement of the emergency management system, the frequent occurrence of natural disasters, and the upgrading of urban emergency needs are the core driving forces of demand. (II) Concentrated production capacity and regional cluster development Global emergency vehicle production capacity is mainly concentrated in China (XCMG, Zoomlion, Chengli Automobile, Dongfeng Motor), Germany (Liebherr), and the United States (Oshkosh). Domestic production capacity is mainly distributed in engineering equipment industrial clusters such as Xuzhou in Jiangsu, Suizhou in Hubei, Jining in Shandong, and Changsha in Hunan. The industry concentration continues to increase, with the top ten companies accounting for 68.2% of the production capacity. Leading companies build competitive barriers through the integration of the "chassis-operating system-core components" industrial chain, while small and medium-sized enterprises focus on niche areas (such as power emergency rescue and urban flooding emergency rescue). (III) Technological Innovation Driven, Green and Intelligent as Core Directions
The "National Emergency Response Strategy" and the demand for high-end manufacturing are driving industry transformation, with intelligentization, new energy, and multi-functional integration becoming core competitiveness. Policy requires that the intelligent penetration rate of emergency rescue equipment reach 40% by 2025, forcing companies to increase R&D in AI detection and remote control technologies. In terms of new energy, pure electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are gradually becoming more common, and it is estimated that the proportion of new energy emergency rescue vehicles will exceed 35% by 2027. In the medium to long term, unmanned operation, cross-scenario adaptation, global emergency collaboration, and full life-cycle support will reshape the industry landscape.
(IV) Price Fluctuations and Strategic Layout
The price of emergency rescue vehicles is affected by multiple factors: fluctuations in the prices of upstream raw materials (high-strength steel plates increased by an average of 12% in 2024, and lithium batteries by 8%), off-road chassis (accounting for 40%~45% of costs), and core emergency rescue components directly affect production costs; downstream, the procurement budgets of emergency management departments, local disaster prevention and control investment, and the progress of urban emergency system construction influence demand; industry standards (emergency equipment certification), environmental policies, and export controls affect the supply structure. Due to their irreplaceable role in emergency rescue, rescue vehicles have become strategic equipment in the national emergency support system. Enterprises are strengthening the research and development of core components (such as XCMG's independently developed rescue robot system), expanding into new energy technologies, and developing overseas markets. Simultaneously, they are deploying integrated solutions combining "equipment + emergency services + training" to enhance their influence within the industry chain.