√Queensland Police to adopt hybrid cars before switch to electric vehicles

Queensland wants to become the first jurisdiction in Australia with entirely hybrid car fleet for general duties patrols ahead of a switch to electric power. However, specialist units such as highway patrol, tactical response, and outback vehicles will stay wth petrol and diesel power for the time being.

Authorities in Queensland have announced all general duties police vehicles will switch to hybrid or plug-in hybrid by 2025, with a view to transition to electric vehicles in the years that follow.

Queensland Police says the new ‘hybrid first’ policy will be adopted for all sedans and SUVs, with electric and hydrogen cars already being tested for suitability for life on the beat.

The strategy will initially only apply to general duties vehicles.

Specialised units such as highway patrol and tactical response teams will stay with petrol or diesel power for the time being.

Police divisions that require motorcycles, four-wheel-drives for remote and regional areas – as well as vans and utes with prisoner transport modules or used by the dog squad – will also initially be excluded from the hybrid switch.

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“We are aiming to achieve a 100 per cent hybrid sedan and SUV fleet within two years, subject to supply constraints and operational requirements,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said in a media statement.

“This is not only extremely important for the environment in terms of reducing emissions, but also helps to offset the rises in fuel and operational costs we are all experiencing.”

While it may sound ambitious, Queensland Police claim more than 70 per cent of its general duties fleet is already electrified, thanks to the widespread adoption of vehicles such as the Toyota Camry Hybrid and TRAV4 Hybrid.

In December 2021, the hydrogen-powered Hyundai Nexo joined the ranks of Queensland Police as part of a trial of zero-emissions vehicles.

Queensland Police also said it is looking to “capitalise on its substantial rooftop solar assets as it moves towards a full electric vehicle future in the years to come”.

MORE: Hydrogen-powered Hyundai Nexo joins Queensland Police fleet

“I am proud to advise that as of today, a remarkable 71 per cent of police sedans and SUVs are now low-emission hybrid vehicles,” Queensland’s Police Minister Mark Ryan said.

“Police will be adopting a ‘hybrid first’ policy for its sedans and SUV fleet, and will progressively replace all non-hybrids with new, more efficient hybrid vehicles.”

Serving the country’s second largest state means Queensland Police vehicles travel approximately 77 million kilometres each year, with more than 210,000km driven across its fleet each day.

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