NYPD deploys hybrid patrol cars

New York City Police Department (NYPD) plans to deploy 40 hybrid patrol cars within the next week.

Vehicle of choice, the Nissan Altima hybrid, runs at 35 miles per gallon - twice as efficient as the NYPD’s current fleet of Crown Victorias and Chevy Impalas.

NYPD has spent $1.1 million on the new cars.

Eighteen will be used as standard patrol vehicles, whilst the rest will be unmarked.

Top speed of the Altima is 116mph. Driving in the Altima at speeds under 40mph uses zero petrol, making the cars ideal for inner city driving.

NYPD decided to deploy the hybrids after extensive virtual tests of 24-hour operation by multiple drivers.

However, the deployment is controversial, and some US police departments have decided that hybrids are unsuitable as patrol vehicles.

Peter Cresci, City Business Administrator in Bayonne, New Jersey, said: “We’ve done extensive research on hybrids.

“They don’t fit for police patrol work.

“On average, they cost $8,000 more per car and they don’t have the pickup needed for pursuits.”

With patrol cars on the road 24 hours a day, switching to hybrids will make a significant dent in NYPD’s carbon footprint.