Issue link: http://pfmmag.epubxp.com/i/113376
Infrastructure, of course, is a signifcant issue, and a joint public-private partnership seems the best solution. Te RAM 2500 is the only OEM-produced, CNGgas bi-fuel, ��-ton pickup on the market. Chrysler recently won a 19-state bid for a ��-ton CNG pickup. Tis RAM has an interesting feature. It is available with an 8-gallon gasoline tank or a 35-gallon gasoline tank. Te 8-gallon tank is a not-sosubtle way for the feet managers to force the actual use of CNG fuel. On CNG, the RAM 2500 has a range of 255 miles. Te 8-gallon gas tank boosts this to 367 miles, while the 35-gallon gas tank increases the total range to 745 miles. Te RAM 2500 CNG was introduced in 2012 as a Crew Cab long bed. Te cost for the CNG bi-fuel from the factory (at state bid prices) is the same as or slightly less than an aftermarket conversion. A factory design, integration and installation are obvious benefts over an aftermarket job. Te conventional factory warranty and service at any RAM dealer in the U.S. is another advantage. Te biggest advantage, however, is the factory installation has passed all of the front, side and rollover crash tests. No aftermarket CNG conversion can make that safety statement. Look for a review of the RAM 2500 CNG in an upcoming issue of Police Fleet Manager. Frank Dankovich, the new Head of Government Sales and Operations, was introduced to the police feet community. He gave a breakdown of the police sedan market, where the Dodge Charger Pursuit has the largest piece of the pie. Dankovich also emphasized the Total Cost of Ownership, which makes sense. Te Charger has among the lowest initial cost, among the lowest operating cost regardless of V6 or V8, and clearly the highest residual value. Te Charger Pursuit with 100,000 miles fetches around $3,000 more than the competition when taken out of service. Michigan State Police Vehicle Test Te preliminary results of the Michigan State Police tests were briefy covered. Only a brief review was needed because the Under 350 hp sedans all ran the same and the Over 350 hp sedans all ran the same. No make or model had a clear dominance in terms of acceleration, top speed, braking or roadcourse lap times. One area did separate the police sedans: Ergonomics, the measure of front and rear seat room, ease of entry and exit, etc. Te ergonomic evaluation is basically a rating for how good the vehicle is as a mobile ofce. Te clear winner in this subjective evaluation was the Charger Pursuit. It bested all of the sedans by more than 20 points and scored higher than even the crossover. Only the large SUV scored better. q The Michigan State Police vehicle tests were reviewed at the PAB. The Charger achieved the highest ratings of any sedan for ergonomics, i.e., how good of a mobile offce the vehicle is. www.pfmmag.com 59