Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Green Mobility in the Portuguese Security Force: A Case Study of the Gendarmerie Force

2021; Springer Nature; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-981-16-4884-7_28

2190-3026

Divo Gonçalves, Luís Malheiro,

Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration

The growing concern with the carbon neutral objectives, established for 2050, requires a change in the Portuguese Public Administration’s land fleet. Despite some efforts are being made for a more ecological mobility, a few barriers persist, especially in certain institutions with large fleet and specific missions such as the Portuguese gendarmerie, named Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR). The aim of the investigation is to analyze the viability of implementing 100% electric and hybrids vehicles in different operational contexts, namely in the Information and Criminal Investigation Sections, Nature and Environment Protection Sections, and Territorial and Traffic Detachments of GNR. We follow a deductive methodology, through a bibliographic research and institutional data analysis, as well, through a mixed investigation strategy, sustained by interviews and surveys. The investigation concluded that the viability of operational use of 100% electric vehicles and hybrids is limited to the functions of the Criminal Prevention, Community Policing Sections, and to administrative and support services. Although, in view of the acquisition of plug-in hybrids, and due to their greater versatility, the opportunities for operational use are extended to the totality of the Territorial Subunits and Traffic Valences. In this sense, a large part of the operational activity can be carried out exclusively in electric mode; however, it can be filled with the internal combustion engine. Even so, given the current scenario, there are logistical/operational constraints resulting from the large-scale installation of charging stations, given the territorial network and the need to have a permanently operational automobile fleet.