It’s an exciting time for the hybrid vehicle industry. It seems like almost every week there are announcements about new hybrid and electric vehicles—including the recent arrival of Ford’s hybrid police car, which will be the first of its kind.
Ford has been creating police vehicles for nearly one hundred years, so it’s no surprise that it’s the first company to dip into this new category. With promises of significant money savings and earth-friendly benefits, along with top safety and performance to boot, it’s safe to assume this new vehicle will be well-received if it lives up to expectations.
Read on to learn more about Ford’s new Police Responder Hybrid Sedan!
Ford’s Police Responder Combines Performance With Fuel Savings
Just a few short years ago, if someone brought up the idea of a hybrid police car, auto enthusiasts might have laughed at the thought. However, hybrid technology has come a long way. Professionals with careers in the auto industry know that the term “hybrid” no longer comes hand in hand with bad performance. In fact, the new Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan lives up to its promise as a police vehicle that performs.
The vehicle features a 2.0-litre engine and an advanced lithium-battery powered electric motor. It’s projected that this configuration will allow officers to get about 38 mpg (approximately 7.4 litres per kilometre!). Ford predicts that this fuel economy could save police departments about $3,900 USD in fuel costs per vehicle every year. And because police cars spend the majority of their time idling, these hybrids are designed to intuitively use conservative amounts of power when in idle mode. On the other hand, the vehicle can recognize when it’s in pursuit mode, and will adjust its power supply for maximum performance when necessary.
Pros with Careers in the Auto Industry Know Safety Is Important for Police Cars
The Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan is a souped-up version of the Ford Fusion Hybrid, but Ford has added plenty of extra features to make it safe and reliable for police officers to use.
In order to keep the vehicle safe, the inside of the Ford Fusion has received some overhauls. Storage compartments in the backseat have been eliminated, so occupants can’t hide contraband, and the backs of the front seats are reinforced to prevent objects from being stabbed through. The front seats are also specifically designed to accommodate a weapon holster and tool belt, and they are heavy-duty and easy to clean. The vehicle also comes equipped with a flat center console area which can be used to mount whatever officers need, and a built-in speedometer to catch speeders.
The exterior and structure of the vehicle isn’t lacking in police-friendly features either. The vehicle has bulletproof doors, and is built to withstand a rear impact of about 55 mph or 88 kmh. The suspension was upgraded in order to accommodate any rough conditions the vehicle may encounter, such as going over potholes, train tracks, or speed bumps at high speeds. In addition, the Police Responder has a set of upgraded all-weather tires and strong brakes to make driving in hazardous conditions safer for officers.
Here’s a closer look at the Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3abvnbsrWfc]
Will Professionals With Careers in the Auto Industry See this Hybrid Soon?
Ford’s Police Responder vehicle still needs to be tested by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and the Michigan State Police, who will rate the hybrid and determine its suitability as a potential police pursuit vehicle for police organizations. Their assessment will decide whether the car is worthy of being “pursuit rated.” So, depending on their verdict, it may not be long after your start your hybrid vehicles training program that these hybrid police cars take to the streets.
If all goes according to plan, and the car is approved by police agencies as a “police responder” vehicle, there’s no doubt police departments across North America will be excited to take the Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan out for a spin.
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