Saint John Police Force cruiser. (Staff photo)
The Saint John Police Force will add four hybrid SUVs to its 55-vehicle fleet.
A year-long study in Gatineau, Que., found savings of $8,800 a year with the price of gas at $1.30 per litre.
At Tuesday’s Saint John Board of Police Commissioners monthly meeting, acting police Chief Tony Hayes said that pushed them towards the “greener choice of vehicles.”
Hayes was asked if there are concerns about hybrid vehicles not having as much pep. He cited another study from the Michigan State Police.
“The difference in performance between the gas vehicle and the hybrid was minimal. Weighing that in, it was not enough of a difference to cause concern,” Hayes said.
Hayes said police officers today carry more gear requiring more room in their vehicles.
“You now have a computer which takes up space. It’s like an office on wheels,” Hayes said.
It will take about 32 weeks for the vehicles to arrive once the order is made.
The vehicle reserve fund of the Saint John Police Force will cover the cost of the hybrid SUVs, which carry a price tag of more than $67,000 each.
