Photo by Thi Dao

Photo by Thi Dao

Law enforcement agencies in New York and Los Angeles plan to begin using a new pursuit-rated gasoline-electric hybrid sedan that the automaker unveiled this week at Los Angeles Police Department headquarters. Agencies can order the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan this spring, and Ford will begin delivering it next summer.

The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan uses an Atkinson 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor fed by a lithium-ion battery. The vehicle is calibrated for law enforcement's unique duty cycle and can switch to maximum performance — with the engine and battery working at peak acceleration levels — when needed, according to Ford.

While driving, the vehicle is projected to provide EPA-estimated combined gas mileage of 38 miles per gallon. While idling, the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan's lithium-ion battery helps power the high electrical loads of a police vehicle, reducing engine run time and saving an estimated 0.27 gallons of fuel per hour, according to the company.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck steps into the new hybrid patrol sedan. Photo by Chris Brown

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck steps into the new hybrid patrol sedan. Photo by Chris Brown

The L.A.P.D. showed its version of the sedan to the media during an April 10 press conference.

For agencies interested in learning how a hybrid pursuit vehicle could save money, Ford has posted a fuel calculator, allowing customers to determine how much fuel they could save by making the switch.

This announcement is part of Ford's $4.5 billion investment in electrified vehicles. In addition to this, the automaker will produce a second gasoline-electric hybrid police vehicle. Ford is also working on services that will make electric vehicle ownership easier, including a faster charging networks and wireless recharging technology.

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