Oxford’s boys in blue are going green by trialling a cutting-edge electric police car.

Officers in Blackbird Leys and Rose Hill have got their hands on a Mitsubishi iMiev, a new zero emission car.

For the next few weeks, the neighbourhood team will be patrolling the estate in the £20,000 vehicle.

Rose Hill Sgt Alan Coffey said: “I became aware that the transport consortium for Thames Valley Police might be trialling a low-emission vehicle, so I contacted them and they let us have it. It’s completely quiet and produces zero emissions.

“It only costs a few pence for a full charge versus the cost of diesel. It’s the way forward.

“Our feedback sheets say people find it very nippy and easy to drive. As far as I’m aware it’s the first in the force.”

The vehicle can be recharged at any domestic socket and be back on the road around six hours later. Quick charges, which are still being developed, would be able to charge the battery to 80 per cent full in 30 minutess.

For a 45p charge police can travel about 100 miles and 0-62 in 13seconds.

Although no decisions have been made about whether they will be rolled out across the force, Sgt Coffey said: “It’s ideal for around Oxford as well as getting to meetings, transporting police officers and PCSOs to the estates.

“I suppose the other benefit is you can sneak up on criminals because it’s so quiet.

“So far, the public have just stood with their mouths open and stare as we go past and you can hear some people laughing. On the whole it’s been very positive, people think it’s brilliant.

“It wouldn’t be used as a response car, the blue lights would drain the power.”

Bob Avery, 64, of Watlington Road, Blackbird Leys, said: “If it looks funny, that’s not a bad thing because it will get noticed. Most people when they are about to commit a crime, if they see ‘Plod’ they are off.”

Gerry Webb, chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, added: “It’s a great idea – it’s eco-friendly and anything that will save public money is a good idea. If people think it’s a laughing stock, then that says a lot about their intelligence levels.”

The iMiev was not the only attraction drawing attention on the estate this week, as two police horses, Spartan and Romulus, kept watch for trouble as part of Operation Confidence – a three-month crackdown on antisocial behaviour.

The technical specifications of the IMiev are:

Model: Mitsubishi iMiev

Price: £20,000

0 to 62mph: 13 seconds

Top speed: 87mph

Emissions: 0

Seating capacity: 4

Range: 100 miles