news details |
|
|
| Little Gem: Cops Go Electric | | | Sussex | Aug 2
Police force has taken delivery of a milk float-style electric car to help community cops.
The Gem Car - which has a top speed of 30mph - is being trialled by the Brighton and Hove division of Sussex Police.
It will enable neighbourhood officers to travel around the city to attend street briefings and make local visits.
With its full Sussex Police livery and large storage space, the two-seater Gem Cars are already used in the United States by police forces in New York, Los Angeles and Miami.
Sussex, which has been loaned the vehicle, is believed to be the first force in the UK to be using a 100% electric vehicle, which has zero emissions and could run purely on solar power, a police spokesman said.
The Gem Car - which stands for Global Electric Motorcars, part of the Chrysler group - costs £12,500 and does not have blue lights.
It is classified as an electric quadracycle, so does not need to display a front registration plate.
Police chiefs say it is perfect for local officers to navigate through built-up parts of Brighton and Hove and has a 50-mile range before its batteries need to be recharged.
More than 40,000 Gem Cars have been sold worldwide and they have been used by Nasa. They are exempt from road tax and the London congestion charge, according to its website.
Sussex Police's trial of the Gem Car will last for just over a week, and will be displayed at the annual Gay Pride event in Preston Park next Saturday.
A police spokesman said that following the trial, a decision will be taken on whether to invest in one. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
