NEW YORK - The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint with plans to buy 200 hybrid vehicles in 2010, according to the New York Times.

The new vehicles will be hybrid Ford Fusions and Escapes, the officials said, and they will begin arriving after they are outfitted for law enforcement use, reported the Times.

Last spring, officers in each borough began testing a large fleet of around 40 hybrid Nissan Altimas - environmentally friendly patrol vehicles that get better gas mileage than standard police cars, such as Ford Crown Victorias or Chevrolet Impalas.

"These were the first hybrids outfitted with a police package being used for patrol," said John McCarthy, a spokesman for the department. "We wanted to see how they held up after being subjected to use on patrol. After a year of use, the feedback has been positive."

The department has more than 200 hybrid cars and sport utility vehicles in its fleet, in addition to T3 Transporters, and Vectrix scooters.

The new purchases will double the pool of hybrid vehicles, to more than 400, according to the Times.

The hybrid Ford Fusions and Escapes will be used on patrol, joining the ranks of Nissan Altimas, officials said.

The police at one point tested one or two Segways, the personal stand-up vehicles, but never used them regularly, opting instead for the T3 Transporters, according to the Times.