In a report that went before city council Tuesday after the Courier's print deadline, Amy Sidwell of the city's fleet services department said gas-powered ATVs better suit the VPD's operational needs than electric models.

Sidwell cited the increased range of gas-powered machines as the main reason for not considering the non-polluting electric vehicles. The average distance travelled on a shift by an officer on a gas-powered ATV is 41 kilometres, whereas an electric vehicle's maximum range is 40 kilometres.

Although the difference is slight, Sidwell noted maximum range set out by a manufacturer is often based on ideal conditions, such as smooth surfaces at a constant speed, with a minimal payload. "It is therefore expected that the maximum range of an electric ATV when operated in a beach patrol application, with varied terrain, speed and payload requirements, would be less than the manufacturer's maximum," Sidwell said. "As such, purchasing electric ATVs is not recommended at this time, as it is uncertain whether electric models will meet VPD operational requirements."

The report recommends city council approve $27,000 to essentially buy out the lease of three gas-powered ATVs obtained by the VPD in the summer courtesy of a $34,687 donation from the Vancouver Police Foundation.

The report adds the VPD is "exploring solutions" to reduce the noise and pollution of the ATVs. And next year, the VPD plans to use money from its budget to lease an electric ATV to assess its performance.

"Additionally, they will evaluate after-market sound reduction technologies to reduce the noise impacts of gasoline-powered ATVs," the report said of the Honda Fourtrax Ranchers. "These evaluations will attempt to address the public's concerns about the noise and pollution impacts on the environment."

A VPD report released last month on the beach patrol program pointed out that if the ATVs weren't used, the three officers would be travelling in two Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors.

Analysis conducted by the VPD concluded the ATVs have a significantly lower carbon footprint than the Interceptors. The ATVs travelled 6,715 kilometres and consumed 745 litres of gasoline in more than 165 shifts in 2010.

The total carbon footprint was 1.8 metric tonnes. Conversely, if the same number of shifts were conducted in an Interceptor--and the same distance--the total carbon footprint would have been 5.5 metric tonnes, according to the VPD report.

"We're committed to 'green' alternatives/solutions but realistically, there's no point in leasing an electric ATV that barely covers one-third of an 11-hour shift and requires many hours of recharging," said Const. Lindsey Houghton, a VPD media relations officer, in an email to the Courier. "We'll continue to study options for the ATVs, which promote sustainability and are 'green", while also being operationally effective."

The beach patrol program began in 2003 and includes police on horses and bicycles. The officers on ATVs patrol an area from Science World to Acadia Beach, near the University of B.C.

mhowell@vancourier.com