NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE POLICE SERVICE
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The Barrie Police Service, in an effort to improve vehicle efficiency, has been working to integrate hybrid vehicles into the fleet.
Since 2020, the service has introduced several hybrid SUVs to the front-line fleet, which operate on electric and engine power. Preliminary data shows that hybrid SUVs have lowered idling time, reduced stress on the engine and reduced fuel costs. With a fleet of 110 total vehicles, 19 of those vehicles are hybrid, resulting in a 5-10 per cent savings in fuel costs and a 50 to 60 per cent reduction in idling time.
“Hybrid vehicles have been incredibly effective for our patrol vehicles,” said fleet supervisor Matt Walker. “We continue to work with vehicle manufacturers to explore any opportunity to enhance our fleet with fully electric vehicles, as front-line vehicles have very specific requirements to be considered police-rated."
In June 2022, the service’s first fully electric vehicle, a Ford Mach-E, was added as an administrative vehicle. The New York Police Department recently introduced more than 100 Ford Mach-E vehicles to their front-line fleet. The Mach-E has an estimated range of between 340 to 500 kilometres and has a fast-charging capability.
The BPS Fleet Unit continues to review electric and hybrid vehicles available with a police package for front-line patrol, with car manufacturers indicating that this is a future possibility. The Barrie Police Service Fleet Unit will monitor the effectiveness of this vehicle and the hybrids currently in use.
As well, the service’s motorcycle was sold in 2022, and the Community Safety and Well-Being Unit will participate in a trial of two electric bicycles for the summer. This is in addition to the 12 regular bicycles that are already in use by front-line officers.
“In making these small changes, we can work towards improving our environmental impact,” said executive services Staff Sgt. Linda Moorhouse. “Savings resulting from these changes, including the fuel savings are countering increased costs of parts, fuel and new fleet vehicles.”
The Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services campus has a two-car charging station installed and the infrastructure to install more.
Results from 2022 show increasingly promising results, as the period from January to May 2022 has shown approximately 15 to 20 per cent in fuel savings compared to the same time in 2021. With the increased cost of fuel, the lower gas usage has allowed the Barrie Police Service to stay within our 2022 fuel and fleet budget.
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