When New York City Mayor Bloomberg announced last week that the Big Apple’s fleet of yellow cabs would be converted to all hybrid vehicles by 2012, it got us thinking about the possibilities for Geneva’s municipal fleet.
Hybrids are traditional looking cars that are powered by both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. They get excellent gas mileage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, so they are both economical and environmentally friendly.
The Ford Motor Company has teamed up with the Cleveland, Ohio, and other, police departments on a “Hybrid Patrol” program using Mercury Mariner Hybrid cars to raise awareness of the possibilities for fuel savings among municipal fleets. Police cars typically spend a great deal of time idling and would be good candidates for fuel saving models. Seattle, WA police have started adding hybrid Ford Escapes and Toyota Camrys to their fleet.
Question is, would a hybrid modified law enforcement specs have the muscle it takes to get the job done?
A report comparing performance data of the Ford Interceptor and a hybrid car is available here.
We’re not convinced that green police cars are a viable option, but City Council is following the lead of the US Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and the International City/County Managers Association in rethinking energy efficiency in all facets of the community. Not only is it environmentally responsible, but it's a matter of saving money on energy as well.
When it comes time to purchase new vehicles, there are likely some options that would be more fuel efficient. The city manager’s car, for example, doesn’t need to travel at 110 MPH, so we think a hybrid would do just fine.
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