The Guelph Police Service has officially announced its commitment to transitioning its marked vehicle fleet to hybrid vehicles.
The first three specially-built Ford SUV's will arrive this fall, already accounted for in the 2019 police budget.
As older vehicles cycle out of the force's fleet another 29 will be be added by 2023.
The new SUV's cost $47,000, which is $8,000 more than the gas version, but the fuel costs are expected to more than make up for the higher price.
Currently marked vehicles last three to three-and-a-half years on the front lines. Hybrids are expected to last longer.
Guelph Police fleet manager Jim Turow, who has been working on this project for some time, previously said that the force hopes to cut its fuel bill by almost $50,000 a year.
At a launch event Thursday outside city hall Thursday, police said they would eventually cut fuel consumption by 60,000 litres and reduce CO2 by 750,000 pounds per year by 2023.
The big difference being that hybrid vehicles don't idle.
“We are making this commitment because it is the right thing to do”, said police chief Gord Cobey. “We have a responsibility to be stewards of our environmental resources in the same way we seek to ensure the appropriate allocation of the financial resources entrusted to us.”
Mayor Cam Guthrie said that as the city moves to being carbon net zero by 2050, it's great to see other organizations make the commitment to reducing emissions.
"This outside-the-box thinking is so important," the mayor said.
MPP Mike Schreiner said that this is the type of announcement that shows that Guelph is a leader.
"You can save money, you can save the planet and you can lead, all at the same time," Schreiner said.
