Hampshire trials electric cars

Hampshire Constabulary has been trialling electric-powered cars in Portsmouth. Using electricity sourced from the mains system, the vehicles are charged overnight at an approximate cost of 93 pence. This allows the car to travel in the region of 113 miles before it needs to be recharged.

The force was given a five-day trial of the Nissan LEAF and John Bradley, the force’s transport manager, said: “Hampshire Constabulary has been closely monitoring the latest vehicle technology in order to reduce the force’s impact on the environment.

“Now we are part of the process of evaluating that technology by trialling an electric vehicle.

“I am really excited as it is a car that has been developed from the ground up to be a fully-engineered electric car and, in the long term, electric vehicles could have a great impact on the force in terms of our carbon footprint and the money saved through reduced fuel costs.”

Eastern Area commander Nigel Hindle added: “The police service travels many thousands of miles each day. It is incumbent on us to make sure that we have the most efficient vehicles in use by officers and staff, in terms of low cost and sustainability. This vehicle has been used by operational officers in Cosham, who have found it to be ideal for their emergency response and general duties role within a city environment.”