Brookline Police Department To Get Hybrid Utility Vehicles

BROOKLINE, MA – The police department is preparing to add four new 2020 Police Interceptor Utility hybrids to its fleet. According to Ford, the hybrid engine can save some 1,276 gallons of fuel a year. Police said when the vehicle is idling, the car won't burn fuel, but will switch to its electric batteries which will in turn reduce toxic emissions.

The Department has a total of 58 marked and unmarked police cars, with about 11
cars replaced each year. Last year, the department requested funding for four of those to be hybrids. Hybrids are more expensive than non-hybrid, but folks on the advisory committee estimated they could save money in the long run, thanks to fuel savings.

This year's purchase of the cars come on the heels of two warrant articles passed last Spring that would promote the lowering of Brookline's carbon emissions by 2050, including one brought forward by Town Meeting Member Jesse Gray of precinct 10, and Select Board Member Heather Hamilton that proposed to electrify the town's motorized fleet.

Last year at a March Advisory committee meeting on the department's budget, officials agreed this would be a pilot effort.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).