cars news 10: Ford Reveals First Hybrid Police Vehicle

Ford has unveiled the first pursuit-capable hybrid police vehicle at an event in Los Angeles and New York, which is part of its $4.5 billion investment in adding more electrified vehicles to its global lineup. Based closely on the hybrid variants of the Fusion midsize sedan, the Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan features the same 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle I-4 coupled to an electric motor and has the ability to travel up to 60 mph in EV mode.

The Police Responder Hybrid features the ability to use the car’s lithium-ion battery to power its electrical systems, which should help save 0.27 gallons of fuel per hour, according to Ford. In comparison to the current V-6-powered, Taurus-based Police Interceptor, the Police Responder Hybrid is expected to receive a 38-mpg combined rating from the EPA versus the current car’s 18-mpg estimate. “Our mission to create safe and healthy communities in Los Angeles is achieved through sustainable approaches in community policing, and that includes embracing new technologies,” said Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck, in a release. “Patrol vehicles are a police officer’s office, and we expect them to not only be economically and environmentally efficient, but also an effective tool for fighting crime in major metropolitan areas.”

Orders for the Ford Police Responder Hybrid can be placed this spring with an expected delivery date of next summer. The launch of the Police Responder Hybrid is part of Ford’s global investment in electrified vehicles, which will see the addition of hybrid variants for a number of vehicles including the F-150 and the Mustang. Ford will also introduce an all-electric small SUV, which it expects to have an EPA-estimated range of 300 miles on a single charge, and will be available in North America, Europe, and Asia. The automaker also aims to produce all-electric self-driving cars for use by mobility services, and is also in the process of developing wireless charging capabilities for its future electric vehicles.

Source: Ford