MGs manufactured in China will become the first vehicles of their kind to serve in a marked police capacity in Australia.
7News reported that the Queensland Police Service has placed an order for 45 MG HS Plus EV plug-in hybrid SUVs as part of its plan to have a 100% hybrid sedan and SUV fleet by 2025.
QPS to bring more electrified vehicles
All across the state, Police Liaison Officers will put the EVs to use. Three vehicles will be assigned to each of the state’s 15 policing districts. They will also feature artwork created by First Nations artists.
The QPS claims it validated its fitness for these responsibilities by subjecting itself to third-party testing and analysis.
It has yet to take ownership of the automobiles, and no photographic evidence is available.
It is assumed that this is the first time an Australian police department has practiced police livery to a Chinese vehicle. However, the state of New South Wales uses MG HS SUVs as speed camera vehicles.
Once they arrive, they will join a growing number of conventional hybrid Toyota Camry, RAV4, and Kluger models. In addition, the QPS intends to bring out more electrified Mitsubishi and Kia vehicles.
Hybrid first policy
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has confirmed that more than two-thirds of its sedan and SUV fleet is electrified.
The speed camera vehicles used by the QPS have been Mitsubishi Outlanders for some period now.
As part of its “hybrid first” policy, the Queenstown Police Service (QPS) plans to have only hybrid and plug-in hybrid sedans and SUVs in its fleet within the next two years.
It confirmed late in 2018 that it had also begun viability testing of electric vehicles (EVs). Still, it has yet to indicate which vehicles it is looking at or pick any entry dates or fleet targets.
All it has said is that it is looking to a “full electric vehicle future in the years to come.”
In 2021, the QPS already had five hydrogen fuel-cell Hyundai Nexo crossovers in its fleet. These vehicles were used to prove the force the advantages of FCEVs and to publicize the technology.
Given Australia’s scarcity of electrified utes and vans, it makes sense that its hybrid goal excludes police vans and utes.
Logan District in the state’s southeast is leading with 46% hybridization as of November 2022 when examining the composition of the entire fleet.
Brisbane Region and Southeast Region comprise most of Queensland’s population, at 40%.
EVs are sustainable and reliable
The police department estimates that its fleet of vehicles travels approximately 212,638 kilometers a day, 1.5 million kilometers a week, and 77 million kilometers a year.
“The very nature of operational policing means our officers are constantly on the move.”
We know the vehicles must be fit for purpose, reliable, and able to be used in challenging circumstances. We are aiming to achieve a 100 percent hybrid sedan and SUV fleet within two years, subject to supply constraints and operational requirements. This is not only extremely important for the environment in terms of reducing emissions, but also helps to offset the rises in fuel and operational costs we are all experiencing.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler
See Also:
- MG Motor to launch the all-new Comet EV in the Indian market in 2023
- The 2023 MG 4 electric car achieves a five-star safety rating in Europe
- Mercedes-AMG ONE electrified hypercar sets Nürburgring production car record
- South Australia drops pay-per-kilometer tax for EVs
- Price and specifications for the 2023 GWM Ora in Australia
