The first pursuit-rated hybrid police car will help police catch the bad guys while it helps save taxpayers thousands in fuel costs, not to mention the environment. Ford is launching this dynamic new vehicle as part of its $4.5 billion investment in electric and hybrid vehicles.
In the next five years, Ford is introducing 13 new electric vehicles around the world, including F-150 Hybrid, Mustang Hybrid, Transit Custom plug-in hybrid, autonomous vehicle hybrid and fully electric small SUV with estimated range of at least 300 miles.
The industry’s first Police Responder Hybrid Sedan is being introduced first in New York City and Los Angeles, in advance of both Earth Day and the opening of the important New York International Auto Show.
Ford sells the most police vehicles in the United States, with 63 percent market share, and the company has been partnering with cities on custom law enforcement vehicles since the days of the Model T.
The all-new Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan is based on the popular Ford Fusion and will help cities decrease emissions and cut down on fuel costs by reducing engine-idle times versus traditional police cars.
This is thanks to Ford’s new hybrid technology and projected EPA-estimated combined gas mileage of 38 mpg. That’s more than twice that of today’s Ford Police Interceptor with 3.7-liter V6.
Based on $2.50 per gallon fuel prices, cities could see approximately $3,877 a year in fuel savings per vehicle, leading to less vehicle downtime for fill-ups. Since most urban police work is at low speeds, the new hybrid police car will spend a lot of drive time on battery-only mode.
Pursuit-rated means the car is certified by police agencies to be tough enough to handle police pursuits for longer periods at different speeds and over obstacles, such as curbs and crowded intersections.
The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan uses an efficient Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor fed by an advanced lithium-ion battery.
The hybrid is calibrated for law enforcement’s unique duty cycle and will run in battery-only mode up to 60 mph. The car automatically switches to maximum performance – with the engine and battery working at peak acceleration levels – when needed.
Will the new pursuit-rated hybrid police car change our minds about hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and electrics?
Ford says half of U.S. millennials say they are interested in buying an electric car, and predicts the auto industry will offer customers more hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles than gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years. Ford’s game plan is to be a leader in electric and autonomous vehicles, and what’s called new mobility solutions, which is a catch-phrase for anything that is different from individually-owned traditional gas powered vehicles, including car sharing.
Electrifying the next generation of vehicles
“Electrifying our next generation of vehicles is core to our unwavering commitment to sustainability,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “By being a leader in electrified vehicles, we remain committed to delivering cars, trucks and SUVs that are better not only for our customers, but for the environment and society as well.”
In addition to the all-new Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan, Ford is delivering:
- Another new hybrid police vehicle for North America
- All-new fully electric small SUV, coming by 2020, engineered to deliver an estimated range of at least 300 miles, to be sold in North America, Europe and Asia
- Hybrid-powered autonomous vehicle designed for commercial mobility services, starting in North America in 2021
- Hybrid version of best-selling F-150 pickup, available by 2020, and sold in North America and the Middle East. F-150 Hybrid will offer powerful towing and payload capacity, and will operate as a mobile generator tough enough to power a job site
- Hybrid version of iconic Mustang that will deliver V8 power and even more low-end torque. Mustang Hybrid debuts in 2020 in North America,
- Transit Custom plug-in hybrid available in 2019 in Europe engineered to help reduce operating costs in even the most congested streets
Growing global demand
As growing urban populations are overwhelming transportation systems and compromising air quality, first-time buyers – including 50 percent of U.S. millennials – say they are interested in purchasing an electric car, according to a poll conducted by the Consumer Federation of America.
Ford is at the forefront of driving electric vehicle technology and improving costs on batteries and motors for hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles. As the company focuses on vehicles that deliver improved performance – such as the F-150 Hybrid with powerful towing and payload capacity plus the ability to operate as an on-board generator.
The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan can be ordered this spring and will be delivered to police departments nationwide next summer.
This year, Ford also is testing a fleet of 20 Transit Connect hybrid taxi and van prototypes in demanding traffic conditions in New York and several other major U.S. cities.
Ford also is piloting wireless technology on company electric cars in the United States and Europe that makes recharging as easy as pulling into a parking spot so drivers never forget to recharge. Wireless recharging extends electric-only range for short-distance commuters, even during quick stops. FordPass® also can help consumers reserve charging times.
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