Police replace Holden’s vehicle fleet with Skoda

Police are replacing their fleet of front-line Holden vehicles with Skodas.

“After a rigorous testing and evaluation process, the New Zealand Police have selected the Skoda Superb as the new front-line police car,” said Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.

“The more environmentally friendly Skoda will become the primary response vehicle for the police, and the first cars are expected on the roads and in communities in April next year.”

After General Motors announced that it would remove Holden from Australasia

market, the police submitted a tender for a new preferred supplier.

“With more than 2,000 primary response vehicles currently in action, the selection of a new supplier provides a significant opportunity to reduce carbon emissions and ensure value for money across our entire fleet,” said Coster.

Throughout the bidding process, two Skoda Superb models stood out as ideal primary response vehicles.

“Front-line personnel said they handled themselves well and felt confident and secure when driving the vehicle,” Coster said.

“They liked the large doors with a wide opening range, easy-to-read instruments, front and rear visibility, and the spaciousness of the rear passenger area.”

The police would use vans as they offer greater flexibility for deployment and are the preferred body type for staff. The 162KW 2WD and 206KW 4×4 Superbs will be deployed in accordance with operational requirements.

“In addition to the Superbs that stand out in our evaluation process, Skoda is repeatedly chosen for use as police and emergency services vehicles throughout Europe. It is used in more than 30 jurisdictions, including Austria, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom”. Coster said.

“More importantly, these new vehicles will generate significant reductions in the carbon footprint of our fleet.”

The average CO2 emissions for all vehicles in the fleet in New Zealand is 180.7 grams per kilometer, while the Superbs rank on the greener side with 162 for the 162KW model and 176 for the 206KW.

“Compared to our current fleet, CO2 emissions per kilometer could be reduced by up to 38.6 percent per vehicle, depending on what is being replaced.”

Electric and hybrid vehicles were tested, but limitations including energy efficiency and total cost of ownership meant they were not the preferred option.

“While incredibly promising, electric and hybrid technology is not yet a viable option for our patrol vehicles,” said Coster.

“However, we are committed to reducing our carbon emissions and have outlined a 10-year plan for an emissions-free fleet.”

Prime 1 patrol vehicles in the existing fleet will be replaced when they have reached the end of their useful life, at a rate of around 400 per year.

Police cars and car-based models are considered for replacement on an average
age six to seven or once they travel 120,000 km, whichever occurs
First.

The police expect to deploy the first batch of Skodas in April 2021. The new police cars will be revealed early next year.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) received submissions from seven vendors with 27 different vehicles.

“The details of the suppliers and vehicles considered are confidential and commercially sensitive.”