The Chicago Police Department will soon take delivery of 200 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid vehicles, Ford announced.

“The 2020 Ford Police Interceptor is made in Chicago, by Chicagoans and for Chicago police officers,” said Jonathan Lewin, chief of technical services, Chicago Police Department, in a statement. “This is just another example of Chicago living up to its reputation as the ‘city that works.’”

Ford’s sales represented 63% of law enforcement vehicle sales in the U.S. in 2018, and the automaker continues to lead in the segment, with PIU alone accounting for half of all police vehicles sold in America, according to the company. Agencies have ordered more than 3,700 units equipped with the standard 3.3L hybrid engine, representing 19% of the 19,000-plus 2020-MY PIUs ordered. Conventional gas engine options include a 3.0L EcoBoost V-6 and a 3.3L V-6 with flex-fuel capability.

The Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid is expected to save police departments in fuel costs. While actual mileage will vary, the 2020 PIU Hybrid has an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined rating — a 41% improvement over the previous-generation Police Interceptor Utility equipped with a conventional 3.7L gas engine. Projections indicate the powerful hybrid could potentially help police departments save between $3,500 and $5,700 per vehicle annually in fuel costs versus the current PIU (computed using fuel costs of $2.75 to $4.50 per gallon and an average of 20,000 miles driven annually).

“The big benefit Chicago Police Department will see from the new hybrid system is that it shuts off the gas engine for extended periods of time, allowing the lithium-ion battery to power lights, radios, computers, and other on-board equipment, helping to achieve potentially significant reductions in fuel usage and CO2 emissions versus the previous-generation Police Interceptor Utility,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager.

In testing by the Michigan State Police in September, preliminary results show the all-new Ford Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid had the fastest 0-60 and 0-100-mph acceleration, the fastest lap, fastest average lap, and highest top speed of 138 mph versus competitive police utility vehicles, including V-8-powered entries. The only faster entry was the Ford Police Interceptor Utility powered by a 3.0L EcoBoost engine.

Purpose-built at Chicago Assembly Plant with domestic and foreign parts, Police Interceptor Utility includes heavy-duty cloth front seats with reduced bolsters for comfort and easy entry and exit for officers. Vinyl rear seats and vinyl flooring enable easy cleaning, while anti-stab plates in the rear of the front seatbacks help protect officers from potential threats.