CITY COUNCIL: Policy Direction Regarding Hybrid Vehicles for Police Patrol & General City Use

Meeting Date: November 15, 2008
Prepared by: Sgt. Paul Tomasi

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Receive report and provide policy direction regarding the implementation of hybrid vehicles for police patrol and general city use.

Description: The City Council has requested information about the feasibility of using hybrid vehicles for Police Department patrol. The information contained in this report may be used to initiate discussion and policy direction concerning the use of hybrid vehicles for police patrol and general city use.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: Unknown at this time, pending policy direction – refer to staff report for more details.

Staff Recommendation: Staff requests that City Council review the hybrid vehicle use report and provide comments and policy direction for future action.

Important Considerations: Using hybrid vehicles for police patrol purposes have been examined, and there are several concerns that must be addressed and understood using them for this purpose. The report addresses these concerns and lists both the pros and cons of using hybrids as patrol vehicles. This assessment will ensure a coordinated effort is under way to identify best practices related to future use of hybrids.

Decision Record: None

Reviewed by:


______________________________ _________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date


TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: MIKE CALHOUN, POLICE SERGEANT
PAUL TOMASI, POLICE SERGEANT
DATE: OCTOBER 15, 2008
SUBJECT: RECEIVE REPORT AND PROVIDE POLICY DIRECTION REGARDING THE USE OF HYBRID VEHICLES FOR POLICE PATROL AND GENERAL CITY USE

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Provide policy direction concerning purchasing hybrid vehicles for police patrol purposes and for other city use.

BACKGROUND:
The use of hybrid vehicles was suggested by the public at several previous City Council meetings. Also, the City has made it a goal to become more “green” and environmentally friendly. The attached report focuses on the feasibility of using hybrid vehicles for city use and as police patrol vehicles. There are several hybrid vehicles the City could use for general use; however, with respect to use for the Police Department, there are some problems associated with many hybrid type vehicles. The following information summarizes the information we have received:

􀂾 Are hybrids being used by other police agencies?
Yes, several agencies in California use hybrid vehicles; however most do not use them for patrol purposes. Instead, these hybrids are used as non-emergency type vehicles, such as for the chief, school resource officer or detectives.

A few agencies using hybrid vehicles as patrol vehicles, including the Lindsay Police Department, which purchased its hybrids through an air quality grant at no cost to the agency. The grant is no longer available. Beyond this, some subsequent research has uncovered some problems regarding hybrid police vehicles.

􀂾 Major concerns about hybrid vehicles as patrol vehicles:
o Excessive cost for hybrid vehicles.
o The vehicle has a high wheel base, making the vehicle unstable and susceptible to roll over in high-speed driving.
o Most hybrid vehicles are front wheel drive, which changes the performance handling during high-speed driving.
o It is very difficult to mount spotlights on most hybrid vehicles. (A safety necessity for all police vehicles.)
o Few companies can do the wiring, welding cages in the back seat and outfitting.
o The extra battery is under the back seat. This requires padded vs. solid plastic. Due to safety concerns, current patrol vehicles have plastic back seats to prevent concealing contraband, and cleaning up body fluids.
o There is limited space in compact and sedan hybrid vehicles. Hybrids are limited to an SUV-type vehicle, preferably the Toyota Highlander
o The fuel usage of the Police Department would not offset higher cost of a hybrid vehicle.
􀂾 California Highway Patrol (CHP) recommendations:
Steve Nielsen, Field Operations Manager, CHP Fleet Operations Section 074 in Sacramento provides the following information regarding using hybrid vehicles for patrol purposes:

Current hybrid technology is still at least two years away from being used in the capacity of patrol operations. The biggest factor associated with using hybrids is the cost. Hybrid vehicles cost nearly twice as much as conventional gas vehicles. There are limited companies that can do the retrofitting necessary to make them into patrol ready vehicles, (light bars, cages, electronic devices, etc.), which also increases the total cost. An additional problem with hybrid vehicles is they are much lighter than conventional vehicles. Patrol vehicles are designed to be heavy and low to the ground to assist with high-speed driving and maneuverability. Hybrids lack the stability of current vehicles due to less overall weight, which is necessary for their fuel efficiency. Adding police equipment adds weight and greatly reduces the high mileage expected from hybrid vehicles.

All current Ford Crown Victoria police vehicles are E-85 equipped and can run using
Ethanol or regular unleaded fuel. However, at this time, there are no E-85 fueling stations in our area.

STAFF REVIEW
Staff continues to find ways to incorporate hybrid vehicles into the City’s vehicle fleet. The following list provides some possible vehicles to consider. At his time, staff seeks City Council’s policy direction regarding the future use of hybrid vehicles and invites other suggestions regarding strategies to enhance the City’s goal toward green energy use.

Building Services
CURRENT VEHICLE HYBRID POSSIBILITY
2001 GMC SAFARI VAN FORD ESCAPE/TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
2000 JEEP CHEROKEE FORD ESCAPE/TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
2006 FORD RANGER FORD ESCAPE/TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
Police Department

CURRENT VEHICLE HYBRID POSSIBILITY
2001 FORD TAURUS TOYOTA CAMRY/HONDA ACCORD
FORD CROWN VICTORIA TOYOTA CAMRY/HONDA ACCORD
1998 FORD EXPEDITION* CHEVY TAHOE/ GMC YUKON
2006 FORD RANGER FORD ESCAPE/TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
Fire Department

CURRENT VEHICLE HYBRID POSSIBILITY
1998 FORD EXPEDITION* CHEVY TAHOE/ GMC YUKON

FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact will vary, depending on the direction taken by the City. Hybrid vehicles are more costly than non-hybrid vehicles. The approximate costs are listed below:
􀂾 Patrol vehicle cost – Standard Crown Victoria
$40,000- $45,000 dollars equipped.
􀂾 Patrol vehicle cost- Hybrid Patrol Vehicle
$34,000-$55,000 dollars standard model
$10,000-$15,000 dollars for standard police equipment
􀂾 Non Patrol vehicle- Standard vehicle
$20,000-$54,000 dollars
􀂾 Non Patrol vehicle cost- Hybrid vehicle
$25,000-$54,000 dollars

SUMMARY:
The information contained in this report is intended to assist City Council to provide policy direction concerning the City’s possible future adoption of hybrid vehicles into the vehicle fleet for police patrol as well as general city use.