Ford Mustang Mach E given ‘blue light’ makeover for emergency services
Ford has developed a specially built ‘blue light’ version of its fully electric Mustang Mach E to provide a greener solution to emergency services.
The new concept was revealed the Emergency Services Show at the NEC in Birmingham this week and was built following many enquiries from UK police forces looking for greener solutions to the current products currently available to them.
The Metropolitan Police Force has already appraised the standard Mustang Mach-E and has now requested a full evaluation of the marked concept. Also waiting for an opportunity to try the new 999 vehicle are the Sussex, Surrey, South Wales, Dyfed Powys, Devon & Cornwall and Police Scotland forces.
The initial concept is a demonstrator Mustang Mach-E Standard Range AWD (all-wheel drive). Subject to testing of this model, Ford is planning to offer Extended Range version of its RWD (rear-wheel drive) and AWD versions. The extended battery types would give the police even greater range, and therefore versatility and capability, for police operations.
The Mustang Mach-E is already a Guinness World Record holder having achieved the lowest energy consumption on a journey in an electric car. It’s capable of 379 miles range between charges. In addition to this, the GT version of the Ford Mustang Mach E is able to accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 111mph.
Terry Adams, blue light direct sales manager for Ford of Britain and Ireland, said: “The vehicle range is uncompromised as the blue light equipment is being drawn from the vehicle’s 12V battery and not the drive battery. In future developments we will look to increase this battery capacity to allow for additional equipment to be fitted.”
The conversion of the original Mach-E was carried out by Ford’s long-term partner to the blue light industry, Safeguard SVP, a specialist constructor based in Essex.
Among the equipment fitted to the concept car are bespoke mounting pods and brackets to ensure suitable locations are found for operational use, with minimal damage to the vehicle. All lighting is LED with very low power consumption to reduce current draw from the vehicle’s 12V power system.
Meanwhile, the 999 livery is a first-off design that utilises high specification material to maximise day and night visibility requirements.
