Jayne Kirkpatrick, Director, Public Affairs

Prepared by: John Boyette, Public Affairs Specialist

 

For more information: Lynn Graham, Office of Sustainability, 919-996-3840

 

July 17, 2012

 

Energy Efficiency Projects Result in Savings for Police Department

 

Twenty hybrid propane-powered patrol cars operated by the City of Raleigh Police Department have resulted in savings of more than $22,000, according to a report given to the City Council today. Fuel cost savings also are being realized from a second energy efficiency program that shuts off the engines of idling patrol vehicles.

 

Representatives from the Police Department and the City’s Office of Sustainability made a presentation to the City Council on two energy efficiency programs used by the Police Department --- the conversion of the 20 patrol cars from gasoline to propane and the installation of anti-idling devices in 29 police vehicles. Benefits from the two programs to the City of Raleigh and its residents include lower fuel and maintenance costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Last August, the Police Department placed into service 10 vehicles that had been converted to propane. Paying for the conversion was a grant from the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition. Since then, 10 additional patrol cars have been switched to propane, bringing the total of hybrid propane-powered police vehicles to 20. The last 10 hybrid police vehicles were funded by a federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, and placed into service in May.

 

The 20 hybrid propane-powered patrol cars have been driven 162,436 miles, using 22,592 gallons of propane and displacing the use of 20,333 gallons of gasoline, according to the report given to the City Council. Fuel cost savings have amounted to $22,270, the report said. The vehicles provide convenience in that they can also run on gasoline or E85 ethanol fuel in addition to propane.

 

The Police Department operates a propane fueling station at its North District location at 6716 Six Forks Road. Also, the City’s Vehicle Fleet Services Division is one of a few shops in the nation certified to convert vehicles to propane and perform repairs on these vehicles.

 

The use of alternative fuel patrol cars is just one way the Police Department has been energy efficient. In April, the City used an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant to install the Energy Xtreme Battery System, an anti-idling device, in 29 Police Department vehicles. The system allows the police cruiser’s full electrical system --- including lights, onboard camera, computer and radio --- to be operated without having to turn on the vehicle’s engine. The anti-idling device can power the vehicle’s electrical system for at least four continuous hours, and automatically recharges while the automobile is being driven. The life of each of the devices is five years.

 

Projected annual fuel cost savings from the Energy Xtreme Battery Systems is approximately $63,000.

 

The Police Department has four mechanics who are certified to install the Energy Xtreme Battery Systems.