New York City purchased 40 new American made Altima Hybrids

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has added 40 new Nissan Altima Hybrids to their fleet.

The hybrids will be divvied amongst precincts with large coverage areas and smaller precincts prone to heavy stop-n-go traffic: essentially where their fuel efficiency provides the greatest economic and environmental impact.

Of the forty cars, 18 of them are marked and 22 are unmarked. And while the Altimas are the first alternative-fuel vehicles used for police cars, they account for only 40 out of the 100 or more hybrids the Department plans to deploy this year.

“The NYPD embraces innovation when it doesn’t compromise performance or safety to our personnel and the public,” said Commissioner Kelly. “We want to get the most mileage out of technology where it makes sense – with the addition of these hybrids, we’re doing that literally.”

The Alitmas cost $25,391 per vehicle.  Where an Impala is $23,967 and it’s $24,875 for the Crown Victorias. But for city driving, the Altima gets double the gas mileage of the others.

Also the Altimas has greater acceleration – zero to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds!

“Through savings in fuel, these Altimas can quickly cover their additional cost, from then they will save taxpayers money – another example of how going green is good for our environment and our pocketbooks,” Bloomberg said.

Nissan Altima hybrids are American-made unlike the Canadian-produced Crown Victorias and Chevy Impalas that comprise most of the fleet. In fact every Altima ever build has been made in Tennessee.

“It is an added benefit that buying these cars helps create jobs in America,” Bloomberg said.

The NYPD will monitor their performance over the coming year to determine if they should be further expanded into the fleet.  The Altima Hybrid is not yet certified for sale in Texas, but Victoria Nissan has a pre-owned 2007 Altima available for purchase.

Source: New York City, Redgreenblue.com