CARMEL, Ind. (WTHR) - Carmel Police have rolled out their first 2020 hybrid SUV.
In a Facebook post, the department said the new all-wheel drive Ford Police Interceptor operates on battery power, using its gasoline engine to charge the batteries.
"Hybrid technology has improved to allow better performance than previous gasoline powered police vehicles," according to CPD, "while improving fuel economy and reducing emissions."
A total of 41 hybrids will be added to Carmel's fleet in the coming months, according to Lt. James Semester. Because Ford stopped production early on the 2019 models to re-tool for the 2020 model changes, Carmel did not order any 2019 models, Semester explained in an e-mail to WTHR.
Carmel's 2018 fleet vehicles, that ran entirely on gasoline, had an EPA rating of 17 MPG combined for city and highway mileage. The 2020 hybrid Interceptor is rated at 24 MPG combined.
