Met Police to introduce 250 EVs to fleet
Thu 02 February 2017
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The Metropolitan Police has announced plans to 'green' its fleet of vehicles by introducing 250 electric vehicles. The Met says the aim is to help reduce London's air pollution and that it's part of a major overhaul of its 4,000 strong fleet.
More than 30 hybrid electric cars will also be introduced across London boroughs to respond to 999 calls. The Met says that other options being considered are hydrogen scooters for PCSOs patrolling bus lanes and roads.
The move to electric cars comes as 700 vehicle contracts in the force's fleet are up for renewal this year, and follows a six-month trial of BMW i3s, which were used as rapid response vehicles in the London Boroughs of Westminster, Greenwich and Bexley.
The Met's head of fleets, Jiggs Bharij, said the force was also considering taking on vehicles powered by hydrogen: "We have an ambition to deploy 250 alternatively-powered cars, vans and motorcycles on the road within the next 12 months. To support this we need to make sure that there are charging points available and that the vehicles are capable of carrying and powering additional police equipment which enables officers and members of the public to remain safe at the scene of an incident."
The Evening Standard reported that the Met had held discussions with Tesla founder Elon Musk, raising speculation that Tesla models could be trialled in the future. Electric scooters will also be deployed.
With some streets in the capital exceeding EU air pollution limits within days of the start of 2017 mayor Sadiq Khan announced £2.5 million in funding to help promote electric vehicle adoption in London.
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