The local girls and boys in blue are going green.
The South Simcoe Police Service took delivery of four new hybrid 2025 Ford Police Interceptor SUVs in October, which are now in the process of being upfitted with lights, sirens, push bars and other equipment.
“They are environmentally friendly, they meet our needs where electric vehicles do not, they will save fuel and ultimately save the taxpayer money,” Chief John Van Dyke said during the recent police services board meeting at Innisfil Town Hall.
While the hybrids each cost about $60,000, or roughly $4,000 more than gas-powered cruisers, Thomas Romanick, fleet coordinator and quartermaster, explained that based on the roughly 1.5 years the service has been using its current hybrid cruiser, it has saved between $200 to $400 on fuel each month, compared to gas-powered vehicles.
“The hybrid cruisers offer several benefits that enhance our operational effectiveness,” he said via email. “By combining traditional fuel engines with electric power, the hybrid vehicles help to reduce emissions, lower fuel costs, and free up resources that can be directed to other necessary operational requirements.”
Because the hybrids idle less, they also require less engine maintenance, meaning less downtime for officers, according to Romanick.
“Police vehicles are always in use for operational purposes — responding to emergencies, patrolling, and conducting investigations,” he said. “As such, the vehicles accumulate high mileage quickly and can lead to significant wear and tear.”
While the gas-powered vehicles usually require replacement every two years, Romanick explained the hybrids typically last between three and four years, plus, they usually bring higher resale values as well.
As of last fall, the service had budgeted about $300,000 for six 2024 hybrid cruisers, before Ford cancelled that order this spring.
“We’re trying to do our part to be a responsible corporate citizens and go green where we can,” the chief said last fall.
The service has ordered five more hybrid cruisers for next year.
