https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/scotland-yard-to-adopt-new-fleet…
Here are the highlights:
The force is planning to put 250 alternative energy cars on the roads within 12 months in the first stage of a major overhaul of its 4,000 or so vehicle fleet.
Among other options being tested are hydrogen scooters for PCSOs patrolling bus lanes and roads.
The force, which has stopped buying new diesel cars, wants to put around 250 hybrid electric or alternative energy vehicles on the roads in London in the next 12 months.
The move is part of a £21 million programme to replace 700 of the Met’s 4,000 or so vehicle fleet in 2017/18.
Senior officials say they are in discussions with nearly all major car manufacturers including Ford, Mercedes, Nissan, Renault and VW to test vehicles ranging from cars to mopeds and vans.
The force is working with Suzuki on a trial of a hydrogen scooter as well as testing Toyota’s £66,000 Mirai hydrogen cell car as a front line response vehicle.
So far, tests involving a £30,000 BMW i3 Range Extender, which can do O-62mph in 7.3 seconds, as a fast response car have proved successful in several Met boroughs.
Now the force is planning to trial five hydrogen powered vehicles as emergency response vehicles, though the pilot scheme will be limited to areas close to the five hydrogen cell charging points in the capital.
Police say they could have 32 hybrid electric front line response cars deployed in London by next year with trials under way in Westminster, Wandsworth, Greenwich, Bexley and Lambeth.
Electric vans are planned for scenes of crime officers and Royalty protection officers are to get 10 hybrid vehicles.
“These first vehicles are a stepping stone that will allow us to build the volume over time once we have the right technology and infrastructure in place.”