PEOTONE, IL– The Peotone Police Department is on the cutting edge of what could become a statewide trend: The department added a hybrid car to its fleet of sedans and SUVs, according to the Kankakee Daily Journal. Since October, the four-cylinder Ford Escape has been patrolling the village streets, getting more than double the fuel mileage of any other squad car within the department’s eight-vehicle fleet.

The department’s fleet is composed of four Ford Crown Victorias, one Chevrolet Impala, one Chevrolet Suburban, one Dodge minivan, and the Escape.

Through the first few months of use, the Escape is getting 20 miles per gallon. The Escape is smaller than the others in the Peotone fleet, but it still was outfitted with lights, sirens, and additional equipment officers needed.

The vehicle cost about $23,000, about $2,000 more than the Crown Victoria.