Hybrid Police Cars

Police agencies around the United States are buying hybrid police cars to replace gas-guzzling counterparts and save taxpayers' money. Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius and the hybrid version of the Honda Civic average 50 mpg compared to the 16 mpg of the current law enforcement workhorse, the Ford Crown Victoria.
Martin County, FL, Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jenell Atlas said that with gas prices for government currently at $1.02 a gallon, the southern Florida county is expecting to save $6,000 per hybrid car purchased.
How It Works
Unlike the pure electric cars that were first introduced in the United States, the hybrid vehicles of today never need to be recharged from an external source. Hybrid cars combine a gas engine with an electric motor to create an environmentally superior, fuel-efficient vehicle that never needs to be plugged in.
To heighten system efficiency, hybrids are fitted with a regenerative braking system that allows them to generate their own electricity. When the vehicle is subjected to stop and go traffic, or the brakes are applied, the motor is turned into a generator. The motor captures energy that would normally be lost as heat or kinetic energy and transforms it into electricity to recharge the batteries. Hybrids use nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which have the same recharging technology as that used in Palm Pilots and cell phones.
The hybrid will run off the electric motor when running at slower speeds or in stop and go traffic; at faster speeds the engine takes over and powers the car. While sitting at a stoplight, the hybrid shuts off altogether. The engine instantly restarts when the driver pushes on the accelerator or puts the car in gear- with no lull in momentum. The engine will also run when the air conditioning is turned on or if the battery needs recharging.
An in-dash monitor tells the driver whether the car is running off of the motor or the battery. Global positioning systems can also be installed so maps can be displayed on the screen as well.
The Toyota Prius comes with a Continuously Variable Transmission which keeps the engine running at its optimum power range. The CVT also allows the car to get better gas mileage and be more efficient. Honda offers the CVT transmission as an option rather than a standard feature. (The Honda Civic Hybrid can also be purchased with a manual transmission.)
Hybrid cars are designed to be treated as conventional vehicles. The batteries are designed to last the life of the vehicle and do not require replacement. Toyota and Honda both offer eight-year warranties on all hybrid-related parts in the car in addition to any standard warranties. Toyota's warranty covers up to 100,000 miles, while Honda's warranty covers up to 80,000 miles.
A Department Money Saver
Many police departments are switching over to hybrids in the hope of saving money over the life of the vehicle. Atlas, of Martin County, reports that the use of hybrids has dropped the county's fleet expenses by as much as 65%.
Wyatt Earp, director of fleet management for Marion County Florida, has purchased several Toyota Priuses in an effort to cut his county's expenses.
Earp said he sat down and tried to set up a reasonable life cost analysis for the hybrids in comparison to the police cars they were replacing. When he looked at the life cost analysis and data from other government agencies that were using hybrids he found that everything "just made sense." Marion County purchases around 45 new cars a year for its fleet. Earp plans on evaluating his current fleet to see where a hybrid would be much better suited for the job than the bigger, less fuel efficient cars.
Major Patti Lumpkin, of Marion County, estimates that for each hybrid the department has purchased it will save $5,000 over the life of the vehicle.
Earp said that while the cost was a little more for the hybrid up front, he expects to save money over the long haul of the vehicle. Toyota is also covering some of the routine maintenance of the car. Earp said that at this time he has not invested any additional money into the maintenance of the cars because of the routine maintenance that Toyota provides.
The warranty on the hybrid technology was also a big factor in Marion County's purchase of the hybrid technology. It has allowed the department to try out the technology without having "to play a guessing game with taxpayers' money." The county plans on using each of the cars for about six years; Earp says that at about that time the Priuses should be running at 100,000 miles and the warranty coming to an end.
While the hybrids don't quite have the pickup desired for chasing speeders, many departments are finding a niche for the cars where the beefier engine is not required. The hybrids are ideal for serving warrants, delivering subpoenas, and running administrative errands.
Marion County has designated two of its Priuses as homeland-security cars. Trained civilian volunteers use the hybrids to inspect public facilities, which might be susceptible to terrorist attack- a job that requires lots of time on the road.
"The hybrids are clean and sound, they are a good investment," Earp said. The great-great nephew of the gunslinger of old West lore explained that his obligation to taxpayers is to conserve as much energy as possible and to spend their money wisely.
Earp initially purchased four Priuses in 2002 to test them out. He has been happy with their results and he plans on purchasing 12 more of the vehicles this year. Earp also has plans to purchase some of the new Honda Civic Hybrids, which just recently became available for purchase.
More Than Just Cars
The hybrid technology is also expanding into SUVS and trucks. Some of the domestic companies like Ford are planning on putting out their own hybrids in the near future.
When Ford puts out its Escape Hybrid this year, Earp plans on buying some for his fleet. The four-wheel drive SUVs would allow Marion County to use hybrids in a broader spectrum of jobs than they are currently being used.
J.D. Power and Associates said that automakers are planning on introducing a dozen new hybrid models over the next two years. Sales are expected to be at 177,000 units annually by 2005.
According to HybridCars.com several American companies are planning on jumping on the bandwagon and offering hybrids this year. According to HybridCars.com, these models should be hitting showroom floors this year: Dodge Ram Pick-up, Ford Escape SUV, GM Silverado Pick-up, GM Sierra Pick-up, Lexus Hybrid SUV, Toyota Highlander SUV.
HybridCars.com also stated that several other hybrids are slated for production in the near future: Chevrolet Malibu Sedan, Chevrolet Tahoe SUV, GMC Yukon SUV, Honda Accord Sedan, Honda Pilot SUV, Saturn VUE SUV, Toyota Camry Sedan.
Electric Vehicle in Comparison to Hybrid
Marion County also owns 12 completely electric vehicles. Earp's department uses the electric vehicles- which look like space-age golf carts- for community and school patrols. They are also used at events like those held at their fairgrounds. Earp said the vehicles are fast at about 25 mph and good for the environment.
The electric vehicles, which the department has nicknamed NEVs or Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, have one drawback in that they have to be charged every night. Earp has found the NEVS not to be as practical as the Prius. "The hybrid, now that is really a viable alternative," Earp said. "Plus with this [the Prius] the taxpayers get something back."
Environment and Community Friendly
Farther south in Martin County, hybrids are replacing less fuel-efficient counterparts that are unnecessary for certain jobs, like detective work. Martin County figures that for every Crown Victoria it replaces it saves the county a little over $100 a month. The county currently owns 11 Priuses and four Civic Hybrids. Sheriff Robert Crowder hopes to buy at least 50 more hybrids in the next year or so.
Crowder's department was the first law enforcement agency in the nation to implement hybrid cars into its fleet. "It is the right thing to do," he said. "We must decrease our dependency on foreign oil." Crowder recently received the E-Visionary award from the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas. The organization recognizes leadership in helping to transition the transportation sector to the use of clean and efficient vehicles.
Law enforcement agencies are also seeing a lot of positive feedback from the press and general public in regards to having hybrid vehicles. Many police departments are reporting that citizens are asking about the vehicles and how they work.
Marion County reports that its department gets a lot of comments at red lights, when the hybrid cars turn off on their own to conserve energy. Unknowing onlookers often "inform" the officer that his car has turned off. Earp tries to educate people about the cars. Earp put in big letters on the side of the car that it is a hybrid and gets 52 miles per gallon. He uses the signs as another way to show the public that he is working for them to save them money.
Many news outlets are also running stories about government agencies and hybrid usage, giving many departments free positive publicity. Earp said that he has even been approached by a national television news show about the department's Priuses. He has also appeared in several newspapers because of the cars.
Earp doesn't mind being in the spotlight. He just hopes it brings attention to the hybrid technology. He feels that as Americans we should do what we can for the environment and the hybrids are one way of doing that.
Environmentally Sound
Besides reducing fuel dependency, hybrids also reduce emissions released into the ozone. According to Hybrid cars.com, "a gallon of gasoline weighs just over 6 pounds. When burned, the carbon in it combines with oxygen from the air to produce about 19 pounds of carbon dioxide."
The 2003 Civic Hybrid reduces both hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions by as much as 82%. The 2001-2003 Prius reduces hydrocarbon and nitrous oxide emissions by 97%, carbon monoxide emissions by 76%, and particulate emissions by 90%. The new 2004 models are even better for the environment.
Past Priuses are considered Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles (SULEV). And last year's Civic is considered an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV). Honda also has a California version of the 2003 Civic Hybrid that meets the even cleaner, more stringent California SULEV standard. The 2004 models for both cars are considered Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (AT-PZEV)- meaning they virtually give off no emissions.
When Size Matters
The Honda Civic Hybrid is styled just like the typical Civic. The only difference is the label on the back of the car. The Toyota Prius however, has a completely different styling than any other car on the road.
The 2004 model Prius is even larger than past models- comparable to a Camry. The body styling is very similar to the Toyota Matrix in length and because of its hatchback. The cargo room in this model is 30% more than in previous years. Both the Civic Hybrid and the Prius have spacious seating for five.
This year's Prius also has a redesigned dash and an electronically controlled throttle and shifting for "responsive performance." The By-Wire technology replaces mechanical connections with more advanced electrical connections. Driver input is transmitted via electronic signals. Toyota said the technology increases Prius' efficiency because of the reduced vehicle weight.
The new Prius also has some other interesting amenities like voice-activated DVD navigation with Bluetooth technology for hands-free phone use with compatible cell phones.
The car also has the Smart Entry and Start system. While most cars use a key to start the vehicle, the Prius uses a "key transponder" that looks similar to a keyless entry keychain. The car can be purchased with the Smart Entry and Start System or without. With it, there is no need to ever insert a key into the car. As long as the keychain is near the driver- say in his pocket- he can start the car by pressing the on-button.
While the cost of hybrid technology is still higher than that of average vehicles, many police departments are finding hybrids to be a perfect fit that saves the department money in the long run.