I have been tracking this since September, 2004, when our fleet average was 11.1 MPG. That is a 22% improvement in the fuel efficiency of the police fleet. Put another way, we are burning 4,000 gallons less fuel per month in police cars today then we were in 2004. That's a pretty impressive impact. I am hopeful that we will be able to realize similar efficiency improvements in the fire fleet.
13 comments:
Looks like LPD has found Viagra......jj
It would be interesting to see a comparison of the cost of maintenance, cost of crash repair/replacement, and injuries to officers involved in crashes. The new cars are much safer than the old ones, and provide better efficiency, but mechanically don't seem to hold up as well.
I still think we need to bring back Cushmans! Now that would be a savings!
There has got to be some savings in the Fire fleet already since they no longer drive their heavy diesel rigs on shopping sprees.
Perhaps your biggest opportunity for improving overall mileage in the fire fleet lays with the regular business inspections that crews have to do.
I've never understood the logic of sending a battalion chief or captain or whoever around town in an 8 person Suburban (never holding more than 2 people) and then sending a fire truck w/ 3 men in it to Shopko or HyVee to check their sprinklers etc. Those trucks can't get better than 10 mi per gallon if they are carrying water etc.
Why not load up those folks in the suburban to do the business checks and leave the truck at home?
how about purchasing some cng vehicles, it's half the cost of gas imagine how forward thinking lincoln would look! not to mention the savings
Can you comment on what you think has contributed to the improvement? Vehicle technology? Policy? Increased efficiency of traffic flow?
Jon Downey,
We've made a concerted effort to reduce unnecessary idling, but the biggest single factor is undoubtedly the move from almost exclusively 8 cylinder engines to primarily 6 and 4 cylinder engines.
When so many pursuits have to be called off because of danger I don't see any need for V-8s or even V-6s in our city police cars. A four cylinder will do the job 99% of the time. IMHO a better option would be some kind of pursuit co-ordinator that would use a dedicated channel for all communications involving the pursuit. The money saved in increased fuel efficiencies could pay for the manpower and equipment needed.
Gun Nut
Gun Nut: You would have to look a real long time to find an officer from LPD who has participated in a sanctioned pursuit over 35 mph in the last ten years. We may as well issue Segways to the officers, and call it what it is.
There are limits. A Smart Car or Fiat 500 would not make the best police cruiser even if they do get outstanding fuel economy.
What is LPD going to do when the small quantity of current-generation Escapes mile out? Is the 2013 Escape on deck for an evaluation when they become available later this year?
How do the V6 Chargers compare to the last Crown Vics month-to-month on the same beats? And do your larger "guests" fit into the rear seat as easily?
BTW, my heavy foot gives me 15-17 Winter city mpg in my '98 V6 Camry with 80K on the odometer.
Please keep blogging. It's very appreciated.
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