For a look at the vehicles, scroll down and clink on the link at the bottom of this story!
SUMMARY: As a result of Ford no longer manufacturing the Crown Victoria sedan, EPD has spent two years testing patrol vehicles currently on the market. We will now display each of the four tested vehicles to the media and show the differences between each vehicle.
After two years of testing and research, Eugene Police Department will be purchasing new fuel-efficient patrol cars that are expected to save 35 percent on fuel compared to the older Crown Victoria models that are being discontinued by the manufacturer. The new model, the Ford Interceptor SUV, was tested along with five other vehicle models and scored highest on operational and fuel efficiency. The Interceptor SUV has a low profile and the capacity for the technology and patrol equipment needed by officers. This year, we will purchase 23 of the new vehicles, with a total replacement of the fleet expected by 2018. Once the fleet replacement is complete, fuel cost savings are estimated at more than $150,000 per year.
We will be introducing the vehicles we tested on August 6, 2013, during a media opportunity, where reporters can view the basic models tested and get information about the replacement selection process.
The Ford Interceptor received the highest in operational testing for the following reasons:
• Rear storage capacity (necessary for transporting property and evidence)
• Space availability for computer and electronic equipment in the driver compartment
(computers, radio, in-care video, printers, hand-held devices, tracking equipment, etc…)
• Ease of placing prisoners in the vehicle / prisoner comfort and safety during transport
• Field based reporting ability
• Ease of exit and entry into the vehicle both in high stress situations and normal
operations
• Vehicle handling
• Safety
• Driver Visibility
• Driver Comfort (officers reported very little head space and not enough seat width to
comfortably sit with duty belts in the drivers compartment of the sedans)
Vehicle Average mpg / Cost
Cheverolet Caprice 6.0L V8 = 8.26 avg mpg / $35,092
Cheverolet Tahoe 5.3L V8 = 9.31 avg mpg / $31,709
Ford Interceptor Sedan 3.5L V6 = 11.08 avg mpg / $27,250
Ford Interceptor Sedan 3.5L V6 w/ eco-boost = 9.82 avg mpg / $29,996
Ford Interceptor SUV 3.7L V6 = 11.41 avg mpg / $29,260
Patrol Fleet Change To Ford Interceptor SUV
From Crown Victoria
42 Vehicles (Patrol & Command)
8 mpg to 11.41 mpg average
Reduction of 30,049 gallons
Annual Savings = $119,895
20.8% reduction of overall usage
34.8% reduction in class 132
*The entire transition will not be complete until FY15—66% complete by the end of FY14
From Chevrolet Tahoe
12 Vehicles (Sergeants & K-9’s)
8 mpg to 11.41 mpg average
Reduction of 6,757 gallons
Annual Savings = $26,960
4.5% reduction of overall usage
35.8% reduction in class 306B
*The entire transition will not be complete until FY18—35% complete by the end of FY14