LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and the Ford Motor Company showed-off a prototype gas-electric hybrid patrol car in Downtown Monday -- that Ford said would be the first hybrid capable of high speed pursuit driving.
The patrol cars could save departments thousands of dollars in fuel each year by reducing the amount of time spent idling.
"Police cars, taxis, cars that are in service all the time spend an incredible amount of time idling," said Chief Beck.
"Idling is really an ineffective use of gasoline, it's hard on the car and it's hard on the environment," he said.
The sedan, based on the Ford Fusion, will be tested by at least two other law enforcement agencies later this year, and could be ready for fleet sales soon after, according to Ford.
-- Eric Leonard (@LeonardFiles)