Zoomi Life

The New York Police Department has put forty new Nissan Altima hybrids into its fleet and on the road.  Eighteen of them are patrol cars while the rest are unmarked.  They’re being deployed where they’ll be most useful, according to the Department.  These 40 cars put the NYPD’s total hybrid fleet at 170 vehicles.

While exact locations for their patrols aren’t given, the city says they’ll be used in neighborhoods and precincts that have a large coverage area as well as those with a lot of stop-and-go urban traffic.  The idea is to test them in both environments to see how they can best be utilized for maximum benefit.

The Altimas are about $1,500 more than their Chevy Impala (non-hybrid) counterparts, but will get about twice the urban mileage at 35mpg.  The Altimas are to be evaluated for a year while the PD decides whether to expand their use as patrol vehicles. Other departments in the area are also watching the trials to determine whether they could benefit from the hybrids as well.

“These new patrol cars will help fulfill the PlaNYC goal of reducing City government’s carbon footprint,” said Mayor Bloomberg in a statement.  “Through savings in fuel, these Altimas can quickly cover their additional cost and from then on, they’ll save taxpayer’s money.”

No word yet on whether Detective John McClain would be allowed to have one.  Hopefully they have some die hard insurance if they do.

Source: NYPD