The NYPD is taking steps toward a greener future by integrating a new fleet of hybrid vehicles, as revealed during a showcase yesterday at Floyd Bennet Field in Brooklyn. These 140 new Ford Explorers, according to a statement obtained by Eyewitness News, are slated to be distributed throughout the precincts in the city's five boroughs, replacing older models that have exceeded their optimal service span of five years. The demonstration featured a series of handling tests on a course designed to simulate the challenging conditions of New York City streets, with officers evaluating acceleration, braking, and turning capabilities. NYPD Officer Matthew Grilo stated, "The hybrids have been great from a handling perspective, I think they handle just as well as their gas counterparts. From a performance aspect, I think they are great for our job and what we're using them for."
Though this development marks progress towards sustainability, the move towards a fully electric fleet is hindered by infrastructural challenges. As Keith Kerman, deputy commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, mentioned in a report by Gothamist, despite NYPD vehicles nearing half-hybridization, fully transitioning to electric vehicles by the city's 2035 deadline remains daunting. Currently, less than 500 fully electric vehicles are in service, relegated to limited roles like school safety and traffic enforcement. Kerman acknowledged that supporting NYPD's 24/7 operations would "require enormous additional charging" infrastructure, a significant barrier to the switch to electric patrol cars.
Steven Ciregna, Executive Director of the NYPD's Fleet Services Division, also highlighted the benefits of hybrid technology, stating that "Police vehicles idle a lot, especially in New York City. Our emergency response system works off the battery, not off the engine on these vehicles," he told Eyewitness News. This approach reduces both fuel consumption and emissions. The purchase of these new vehicles represents part of a broader investment in over 1,500 hybrid patrol cars designed to lower maintenance costs of the aging NYPD fleet.
There are still significant hurdles to address before the NYPD can fully commit to electric vehicles. The one pursuit-rated electric option available—the Chevy Blazer—is under evaluation, with only about 50 being tested. They are so new, they "don't yet have NYPD logos," according to Gothamist. Additional demands of patrol cars like emergency lights and communications systems necessitate more robust batteries than those usually found in civilian cars. Moreover, the prospect of transitioning to electric vehicles is not just a question of technology, but also of ensuring backup power systems in case of power outages or terror attacks, unique considerations for the police force.
The shift to hybrid vehicles is a measured approach to address the immediate ecological concerns and the operational requirements of NYPD patrol units. Although going fully electric poses substantial structural challenges, the NYPD is steadily driving towards a more sustainable fleet, poised to welcome an additional 1,000 hybrid vehicles shortly, as per Gothamist. The department, as it ushers these new hybrids into service, is careful to ensure that the transition does not compromise the safety and performance standards necessary for the dense and unpredictable landscape of New York City.
