By Peter N. Spencer
Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Getting arrested on Staten Island just got greener.
The NYPD introduced the first alternative-fuel patrol vehicles into its fleet - including two for the Mid-Island’s 122nd Precinct - as part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ongoing initiative to reduce carbon emissions.
Over the next year, the NYPD will test Nissan Altima hybrids to see if they can withstand the rigors of daily police work in all five boroughs. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the department targeted precincts that require a lot of stop-and-start driving and have a lot of ground to cover, such as the 122. Two of the cars will be disguised as taxi cabs, as part of an undercover operation in Manhattan.
“We want to get the most mileage out of technology where it makes most sense, and that’s precisely what we think we’re doing here,” Kelly said.
As part of a $1.1 million pilot program, the Altimas will account for 40 of a total of 170 hybrid vehicles the NYPD expects to add to its 3,524-vehicle patrol fleet this year.
Besides the noticeable differences in appearance, the new cruisers get about 34 mpg. That’s about twice as fuel-efficient as the modified Chevrolet Impalas and Ford Crown Victorias the NYPD has traditionally used.
The Altimas have better acceleration than the Impala, though a lower top speed. The hybrids are also stealthily quiet - another benefit for pursuing a perp.
The Nissan Altima Hybrids cost the city $25,391 per vehicle, or about $1,500 more than the conventional Impala. Though the agency already uses hybrid vehicles in its parking enforcement fleet as well as electric scooters, the Altima hybrids are the first alternate-fuel vehicles to be used as regular police cars. NYPD duty captains use 10 GMC Yukon Hybrid SUVs.
In previous years, police departments around the country have experimented with hybrid vehicles for patrol, with mixed results. Officials from nearby Bayonne claimed they wouldn’t hold up to patrol work and did not have the acceleration needed for pursuit. Others said the purchase price and repairs make them less cost-efficient.
But the city is hoping the newest generation of hybrids will pass muster and eventually lead to an overhaul of the entire fleet. Energy costs account for about $100 million, or about 10 percent, of the city’s budget every year.
Police vehicles are particularly inefficient. Used 24 hours a day, the average police cruiser has to be replaced every three to three and a half years, according to NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs Paul Browne.
Copyright 2009 Advance Publications, Inc.