Ford Interceptor Utility Hybrid: the police agencies line up for potential fuel savings

Already America’s best-selling police vehicle, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility is capturing the attention of law enforcement agencies for an all-new reason – the 2020 model is the first-ever pursuit-rated police utility vehicle with a standard hybrid engine.

From New England to Southern California, orders for the Ford Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid are piling up. Agencies in cities such as San Diego, Columbus, Ohio, and Madison, Wisconsin, have committed to adding hybrids to their law enforcement fleets. So far, these agencies have ordered more than 2,600 units equipped with the standard 3.3-liter hybrid engine.

These commitments represent more than 17 percent of the 15,000-plus orders for the 2020 Police Interceptor Utility. Conventional gas engine options include a 3.0-liter EcoBoost® V6 and a 3.3-liter V6 with flex fuel capability.

Many agencies continue to evaluate their vehicle needs and will place orders later in the year. A few, such as the Los Angeles Police Department, tested the new hybrid in advance, and have already placed orders.

“I drove the new Police Interceptor Utility and was impressed,” said George Yamanaka, Los Angeles Police Department fleet manager. “It’s great – a hybrid utility vehicle that doesn’t sacrifice performance.”

As part of an ongoing effort to convert its full patrol fleet to hybrid power, the department has ordered 39 2020 Police Interceptor Utility Hybrids to date, according to Yamanaka. He said the arrival of the 2020 Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid gives law enforcement an option that until now didn’t exist – a pursuit-rated hybrid SUV.

While actual mileage will vary, the all-new 2020 Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid has an EPA-estimated rating of 23 mpg city/24 mpg highway/24 mpg combined – a 41 percent improvement over the current Police Interceptor Utility equipped with a conventional 3.7-liter gas engine. Projections indicate the powerful hybrid could help police departments save between $3,500 and $5,700 per vehicle annually in fuel costs versus the current Police Interceptor Utility*.

Applying those projected numbers to every Police Interceptor Utility sold in 2018 would equate to an estimated savings of more than 43 million gallons of fuel and an estimated annual cost savings of between $118 million and $193 million.