Ford says it has received more than 2,600 orders from U.S. agencies for the pursuit-rated 2020 Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid.
That’s a sizable chunk of the more than 15,000 orders for the 2020 Police Interceptor Utility and the automaker believes the hybrid’s fuel economy ratings have a lot to do with that. Ford says the hybrid police SUV will help police departments reduce operating costs as it’s 41 percent more fuel-efficient than the previous-generation Police Interceptor Utility equipped with a conventional 3.7-liter gasoline engine.
The all-new Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid has an EPA-estimated rating of 23 mpg (10.2 l/100 km) city/24 mpg (9.8 l/100 km) highway/24 mpg (9.8 l/100 km) combined. According to the Ford’s calculations, the hybrid police SUV is projected to save taxpayers between $3,500 and $5,700 per vehicle in fuel costs annually, at an average of 20,000 miles driven per year.
A hybrid police vehicle makes sense because of the potentially significant idle-time fuel savings. When stationary, the hybrid powertrain allows the engine to shut off for extended periods, powering electrical equipment via its lithium-ion battery and helping achieve significant reductions in fuel usage and CO2 emissions.
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The 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility is also tested for enhanced police durability, offering improved cooling systems, a specially tuned braking system, front-door tethers, and police-purposed steel wheels, tires and hubcaps. The SUV is tested for eight-inch (203-mm) curb impact, median crossing, 30-mph (48-km/h) railroad crossing, and water fording up to 18 inches (457 mm) at 15 mph (24 km/h) and 10 inches (254 mm) at 40 mph (64 km/h). It also provides rear-impact protection at up to 75 mph (120 km/h).
Based on the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid, the new Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid comes with a standard 3.3-liter hybrid engine, while conventional gasoline engine options include a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 and a 3.3-liter V6 with flex-fuel capability. Ford will start delivering the 2020 Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid this fall.
