Hybrid motorcycles join Northamptonshire Police’s fleet

Northamptonshire Police has taken delivery of a new fleet of hybrid motorcycles, to be used by neighbourhood policing teams.

The vehicles were developed by Northamptonshire-based White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC) in collaboration with the Force.

They use hybrid technology that reduces emissions by up to 50%, when compared with a comparable non-hybrid model. The batteries are detachable and can be charged using a standard three-pin plug.

Lem Freezer, head of transport and logistics for the both the police and fire services in Northamptonshire, believes the new technology is an exciting way forward for emergency services fleet management.

He said: “Like all emergency services, we need to meet national objectives to reduce carbon emissions and move away from petrol and diesel powered transport by 2030. The technology behind the design of the WMC300FR reduces emissions by up to 50% compared with a comparable non-hybrid model.

“This, together with detachable batteries that can be charged using a standard three-pin plug, provides a versatile and cost-efficient transport solution, which can be deployed as part of the current fleet without the need for expensive charging infrastructure.”

The three-wheel design also means the bikes can be driven on a standard car licence, enabling more officers to use them following just basic training and offering greater flexibility in deployment.