The Vancouver Police Department has taken another step towards being green and not just blue, with the addition of 20 pure electric Ford Focus hatchbacks to its fleet. The cars will replace 20 gas-powered vehicles.
“We work with the City of Vancouver to look for practical ways to reduce the VPD’s environmental footprint,” says Rob Rothwell, Fleet Manager, VPD. “We are taking steps to reduce emissions, and are adopting zero emission vehicles where they match our needs.”
The new electric cars will be unmarked and will be used by detectives for follow-up work and by administrative staff. The vehicles will be equipped with sirens and emergency lights.
“We are thrilled to see the VPD replace 20 gas-powered cars with the same number of all electric vehicles that are green, clean and quiet,” says Doug Smith, Director of the City’s Sustainability Group. “These new electric vehicles will positively impact Vancouver by reducing both air pollution and greenhouse gases. The VPD are an important part of the City’s Green Fleet Strategy to reduce fleet emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.”
A fully-charged Focus has a range of approximately 185 kilometres, using a 107-kilowatt electric motor powered by a 33.5 kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery. It takes five and a half hours to achieve an 80 per cent charge.
The VPD, in partnership with the City of Vancouver, has installed 22 charging stations. The new electric vehicles will complement the VPD’s existing green fleet of two pure electric vehicles, 12 hybrid vehicles and two electric motorcycles.
