Earlier this year, Ford revealed what it claimed was the industry’s first-ever pursuit-rated hybrid police vehicle. Now, the company says it is giving law enforcement an even more efficient option with the reveal of a plug-in hybrid vehicle capable of driving up to 21 miles without a drop of gasoline.
The Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan, the first plug-in hybrid police vehicle from Ford, is designed for police and fire chiefs, detectives, and other government personnel whose jobs don’t require a pursuit-rated vehicle.
“This is the first Ford police vehicle that can potentially get through an entire shift using no gasoline whatsoever,” says Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager. “Anyone can plug this in to any wall outlet to run gas- and emissions-free on battery-only operation.”
According to Ford, the vehicle’s 3.3 kW onboard charger allows agencies to fully charge the 7.6 kWh battery in just 2.5 hours on a 240-volt, level-two charger. But Ford says it is confident most agencies won’t need anything more than a regular 120-volt wall outlet to recharge. The lithium-ion battery can move the vehicle up to 21 miles on a single charge and up to 85 mph on battery power alone. Once the battery runs down, the vehicle is powered by its gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant – with a range surpassing 500 miles – eliminating any concerns of range anxiety typically associated with battery-only electrics, the company adds.
The custom interior features heavy-duty cloth front seats with reduced bolsters, for officer comfort, and rear anti-stab plates, plus vinyl rear seating and flooring. Other highlights include a reinforced top tray for mounting equipment, metal console mounting plate, red and white task lighting in the overhead console, police engine-idle feature, unique alloy wheels and an auxiliary power distribution box in the trunk.
Several other options are available for the Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan, including a driver spot lamp, a trunk storage vault, trunk ventilation system, and a rear door control-disabling feature. A dark-car feature turns off interior lighting and allows the dash cluster to be dimmed 100% for surveillance, and several emergency lighting packages like those found on other Ford police vehicles are also available.
The new Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan joins two other Ford police vehicles revealed this year – Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan and F-150 Police Responder. Recently, both successfully completed rigorous testing conducted by Michigan State Police at Grattan Raceway in Belding, Mich., and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
Customers will be able to order the Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan in December, with sales starting next summer.