Cops Replace Gas-Guzzlers with Greener Cruisers

Off the cuff:

It seems to me it would be very difficult to calculate the difference between the 'more muscular' less mpg car vs. the 'more efficient lower HP'.

It would depend on the average amount of chases in which the police "need" the high HP vehicle, versus standard low-speed patrolling. I am thinking more low speed patrolling goes on.

However, when a chase is going on, if it is not quickly ended, helicopters get involved. Now we have to consider the price of helicopter / Aviation fuel as well.

So it becomes an equation of

Average amount of gas saved (using high efficiency vehicles) * gas price

vs.

Average number of chases where HP is NOT needed * gas used

Compare that, with

(Average number of cases where helicopter is involved + increase assumed because standard cars are not longer capable of the needed performance expected)* AV fuel price

However, to play devils advocate with myself:

I really don't think that high horsepower is all that necessary. In larger cities traffic congestion limits the amount of "high speed" anyone can really get to. Also, the radio is the most useful tool for picking up a suspect - get a different unit that is ahead of the suspect to block them off / road spikes etc.

Further, are "most people" driving large engine vehicles? There is certainly plenty with small engine vehicles. Maybe criminals that need to be chased will choose more muscley cars, but still... on average, there has to be more parking ticket, patrolling, speeding ticket, etc. type work than high speed chases. (Being a police person is nothing like the movies).

Bottom line is that more efficiency is probably a lot more important than more horses under the hood.

JCase,

You forgot to mention that most high-speed chases end in high-speed crashes that result in injuries (to criminals and bystanders) which in turn lead to hospital bills, repair costs, and law suits.

A lot of police forces in the US were already going to no-chase policies before the $4 gas was ever a consideration. These forces had already determined that it is more practical to get the licence plate number of the vehicle then capture the crook later under controlled conditions.

The way things are going, CopsTV, Worlds Wildest Chases, etc. are all going to be reruns.

Maybe something like a WRX for pursuit vehicles, just not as much room in the back seat to make it comfortable for "arrestees". Be hard to out run though.

Electric police-car in London:

Wanna REALLY save some gas, and keep the speed at the same time? Well, here y'go then!

In alphabetical order - BMW, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki.

As a reserve deputy in Minnesota we use a mix of vehicles for different purposes. Trucks are needed to pull trailered boats/ATVs/snowmobiles that are used in rural areas and parks. Squad cars are also large primarily because officers have duty belts to carry everything but the kitchen sink: taser, sidearm, baton, chemical agent, radios, cell phones, handcuffs, gloves, etc. This means the seating area needs to be generous. The cars also need room for duty bags, first aid kits, defibrillator, emergency equipment, extra clothes, etc.

The law requires a fairly spacious back seat for anyone taken into custody, plus the safety firewall to protect officers from the detainees. Plus a large door is a plus for getting people in and out.

I think that more efficient cars with smaller engines will be used in the future, but not until they provide enough room on the inside to allow suitable usage.