FOX O&O WTVT in Tampa, Florida has a new Explorer CNG vehicle on the way. Based on the Police Interceptor version for the Ford Explorer, this truck is designed for severe duty in the most demanding environments.

Aside from being Pursuit Rated, Crash Tested to 75MPH and having Heavy Duty Braking and Steering Systems, this truck represents a new type of Hybrid power system for Cellular News Gathering Trucks.

This is Fords ALL NEW Hybrid/V6 Explorer, which has been configured to provide 60 amps of power off the vehicles own internal hybrid batteries via a factory DC to DC Converter. The system does not require the truck be running while providing power. If the batteries run low, it will auto start and auto stop to keep the show going!

We will say that the acceleration of the Hybrid drive is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! and to coin a phrase used by Carol Shelby, it "Goes Like Hell”! but the true power is the capacity of the battery drive...it is just astounding.

The Explorer PPV Hybrid was designed to save Police departments literally thousands of dollars in fuel/maintenance costs by allowing the vehicle to auto-start only when needed… rather than idling constantly

The equipment on the inside is all lean business. POV Cameras and a LiveU LU600 will provide DriveLive ™ capability using AMT's exclusive wireless switcher in a manoeuvrable and cost-effective package!

The truck was designed for extreme ease of operation for VJ’s and MMJ’s. WTVT presently broadcasts 72½ hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 12 hours each weekday, 6½ hours on Saturdays and six hours on Sundays) so this new platform will get some serious use!

Congratulations to WTVT and Fox for being so forward looking on this new project! This truck joins its sister, a Vision Series Suburban, delivered just last year!