City of Roseville to turbo-charge 36 police cruisers

New Ford Police Interceptors are getting turbo-charged in Roseville, authorities said last week. The Roseville City Council was scheduled this week to spend $240,000 to equip 36 new gas-powered police interceptor utility vehicles. The "Ecoboost" engine option is $5,000 per vehicle, according to the report. EcoBoost is the name of Ford's line of turbo-charged, direct-injection petrol engines designed to deliver greater horsepower and torque while also providing more fuel efficiency. First produced in 2009, the option now comes in many varieties and Ford models. Unveiled by Ford last year, the 2025 Police Interceptor Utility ranges from $47,000 to $60,000, according to TrueCar.com. That adds up to roughly $1.8 million for 36 Roseville police cruisers.The Roseville fleet replacement program aims to meet the current operational and efficiency standards, minimize downtime and maximize function. "The Police Interceptor Utility is a critical component of the Police Department's operations, providing reliable transportation and advanced performance capabilities for public safety personnel," said Roseville City Fleet Manager Brandy LeBeau in the report. Roseville PD thoroughly reviewed needs, including performance, fuel efficiency and lifecycle. The EcoBoost engine option was pegged as a valuable addition, offering turbo power and efficiency to support the rigorous demands of law enforcement. The 36 interceptors were previously approved as part of the fiscal year 2024-25 budget. Funding for the additional expense will come from the Roseville contingency fund, said Jason Shykowski, Roseville Public Works Director. Meanwhile, the supply of fleet vehicles has been limited nationwide for years, disproportionately affecting SUVs, including police cruisers, authorities said last year. Besides a recall of 2023 police models, supply chain issues have plagued Ford for several years in the wake of the 2020 COVID outbreak.