FAYETTEVILLE — Police hope to save money by ordering seven Chevrolet Tahoes ahead of schedule.

Jesse Beeks, the city’s fleet manager, said the department would normally place its order for new vehicles next spring.

“We have to order them earlier this year because there’s going to be a significant price increase for 2015 due to a redesign,” he said.

Beeks said he didn’t know how much the price would increase. The seven Tahoes will cost

about $175,650.

The City Council is expected to approve the department’s request Tuesday.

Sarah Marsh, Ward 1 alderwoman, said the time crunch means the city doesn’t have as much time to evaluate alternatives.

“I hope in the future, we have an opportunity to look at other police vehicles,” she said. “My gut reaction is that we can make a better choice. We need to look at the specification requirements of the Police Department and look at the performance metrics they need for vehicles.”

Beeks said the Police Department has 13 Tahoes and will soon have seven more in service.

“We’re just in the process of prepping them for service,” he said. “Once they’re ready, others will be coming out of service.”

By 2014, the department will have 27 Tahoes patrolling the streets.

The agency first purchased six police package two-wheel drive Tahoes in 2011 for $200,250.

The Tahoes replaced the department’s Ford Crown Victorias, which were discontinued.

Police-ready cars are built to meet strict law enforcement standards. They are manufactured by General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. Police cars differ from civilian vehicles because they’re equipped to handle a variety of tasks including high-speed response calls.

Police Tahoes differ from the standard model because they’re lower to the ground with wider tires. The mid-size SUV has enough space to store computer equipment, weapons and protective gear.

The Tahoe gets about 10 miles-per-gallon of fuel economy, lasts about six years and is capable of running on E-85, an ethanol fuel blend cheaper than unleaded gasoline.

The average police Tahoe uses 2,800 to 3,000 gallons of fuel a year, Beeks said.

Last year, the department replaced two Crown Victorias with a pair of Ford Fusion Hybrid-electric sedans for $51,390.

Fuel mileage for the Crown Victoria averages just more than 11 miles per gallon, while the hybrid averages 40 miles per gallon. The hybrid has a lifespan of about 10 years.

Detectives primarily use hybrid cars to find and interview witnesses, suspects and victims.

Detectives’ cars are unmarked and don’t have to meet any specific standards other than having enough room for maps and fingerprinting kits.

“We still have Crown Victorias and two Chargers in service, but they will come out of service soon,” Beeks said. “We also have Tauruses and Hybrid Fusions out there. We’re always looking at what’s out there, but there aren’t a lot of options right now.”

After the City Council approves the Police Department’s request to buy Tahoes, Beeks said the agency won’t need to buy new vehicles until 2015.

“Right now, we have Tahoes that have been in for three or four years and they’re holding up better than the Crown Victorias,” he said.”Overall, the Tahoes will save us money because they have a longer life and a better return on our resale.”