Ford Creates Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle for Police, Government Customers

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After debuting a pursuit-rated hybrid plug-in police vehicle earlier this year, Ford Motor Co. today announced a plug-in vehicle designed for police and fire chiefs, detectives, and government personnel who don’t require a pursuit-rated vehicle.

The Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan is capable of driving 21 miles without any gasoline and can fully charge its 7.6 kilowatt battery in 2.5 hours.

“This is the first Ford police vehicle that can potentially get through an entire shift using no gasoline whatsoever,” says Stephen Tyler, Ford’s police brand marketing manager. “Anyone can plug this in to any wall outlet to run gas- and emissions-free on battery-only operation.”

Ford belives most agencies won’t need more than a regular 120-volt outlet to recharge the vehicle’s battery, which can move the vehicle up to 85 miles per hour for up to 21 miles on a single charge.

Once the battery runs down, the vehicle is powered by its gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant, with a range surpassing 500 miles, eliminating concerns traditionally associated with battery-only electronics.

The Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan’s interior features heavy-duty cloth front seats with reduced bolsters, rear anti-stab plates, and vinyl rear seating and flooring.

Other highlights include a reinforced top tray for mounting equipment, a metal console mounting plate, red and white task lighting in the overhead console, police engine-idle feature, alloy wheels, and an auxiliary power distribution box in the trunk.

Additional options include a driver spot lamp, a trunk storage vault, trunk ventilation system, and rear door control-disabling feature. A dark-car feature also turns off interior lighting and dims the dash cluster 100 percent for surveillance. Emergency lighting packages are also available.

Customers will be able to order the Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan in December with sales beginning next summer.