South Simcoe Police Service has added five new hybrid vehicles to its fleet in an effort to go fully green.
Police Chief John Van Dyke said the hybrid vehicles cost roughly $4,000 more than gas-powered vehicles upfront, but offer better fuel efficiency that will, over time, mean more savings.
“They save about $400 a month in fuel, on average, so the cost savings of the vehicle are realized in years two, three and four as we try to keep the vehicles up to four years instead of two years,” said Van Dyke. “They are high mileage vehicles, many of our fleet vehicles are driven 24/7, so the life of a gas vehicle is approximately two years.”
Five hybrids are in operation and the latest five will roll out in the coming months. The new hybrid vehicles, that will be part of the service’s frontline fleet, are in the process of being outfitted.
The chief said the service plans to convert 100 per cent of its 24-vehicle fleet into hybrids over the next few years.
